Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel nasal swab test aimed at identifying specific asthma endotypes in children, particularly addressing the disproportionately high asthma rates among Puerto Rican and African American youths. This groundbreaking, non-invasive test enhances the accuracy of asthma diagnoses, helping doctors tailor treatments more effectively. Traditional methods for determining asthma endotypes typically rely on invasive procedures, which are not feasible for many children, especially those with milder cases.
Published in JAMA, the study analyzed samples from 459 children across three studies, revealing that a significant percentage had varying asthma endotypes: T2-high, T17-high, and low-low. The work underscores the urgent need for targeted treatments, particularly since while there are effective biologics for T2-high asthma, no current therapies address T17-high and low-low endotypes. This research holds promise not only for improving treatment outcomes in minority communities but also for advancing understanding of asthma’s mechanisms. Future studies are needed to explore how asthma endotypes may change throughout puberty and response to treatment, offering potential insights for personalized medicine in managing this common chronic disease in children.
