Abstract
Leukotriene (LT) modifiers are composed of leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. LTs, C4, D4, and E4 are collectively termed cysteinyl LTs and best are the characterized receptors for cysLTs are cysLT1 and cysLT2. cysLT1 ligation mediates sustained bronchial contraction, mucosal secretion, and edema, which are central to the pathogenesis of asthma. cysLT2 ligation is thought to contribute to edema, inflammation, and tissue fibrosis in asthma. LT modifiers attenuate bronchoconstriction responses and exert anti-inflammatory effects, reflected by reduced eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic patients. Inhaled corticosteroids are generally superior to LT modifiers as a first-line controller. However, LT modifiers are easy to administer, have good compliance, and have excellent safety. LT modifiers are recommended for asthmatic children aged ≤5 years as a first-line controller. The Japanese Guideline for Childhood Asthma recommends LT modifiers, as a first-line controller prior to inhaled corticosteroid for children aged <2 years. LT modifiers can improve asthma control as add-on therapy with ICS. They can also be effective for exercise-induced asthma. LT modifiers are recommended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in combination with H1-antihistamines or as a first-line drug for patients who cannot or do not wish to use intranasal corticosteroids. LT modifiers can also be considered for add-on therapy in the treatment of chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and other allergic
diseases.
References
1. Peters-Golden M, Brock TG. 5-lipoxygenase and FLAP. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2003; 69:99–109.
2. Okunishi K, Peters-Golden M. Leukotrienes and airway inflammation. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011; 1810:1096–1102.
3. Parameswaran K, Radford K, Fanat A, Stephen J, Bonnans C, Levy BD, et al. Modulation of human airway smooth muscle migration by lipid mediators and Th-2 cytokines. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2007; 37:240–247.
4. Leigh R, Vethanayagam D, Yoshida M, Watson RM, Rerecich T, Inman MD, et al. Effects of montelukast and budesonide on airway responses and airway inflammation in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002; 166:1212–1217.
5. Terashima T, Amakawa K, Matsumaru A, Yamaguchi K. Correlation between cysteinyl leukotriene release from leukocytes and clinical response to a leukotriene inhibitor. Chest. 2002; 122:1566–1570.
6. Hamasaki Y, Kohno Y, Ebisawa M, Kondo N, Nishima S, Nishimuta T, et al. Japanese Guideline for Childhood Asthma 2014. Allergol Int. 2014; 63:335–356.
7. Nelson H, Kemp J, Berger W, Corren J, Casale T, Dube L, et al. Efficacy of zileuton controlled-release tablets administered twice daily in the treatment of moderate persistent asthma: a 3-month randomized controlled study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99:178–184.
8. Kubavat AH, Khippal N, Tak S, Rijhwani P, Bhargava S, Patel T, et al. A randomized, comparative, multicentric clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of zileuton extended-release tablets with montelukast sodium tablets in patients suffering from chronic persistent asthma. Am J Ther. 2013; 20:154–162.
9. Castro-Rodriguez JA, Rodrigo GJ. The role of inhaled corticosteroids and montelukast in children with mild-moderate asthma: results of a systematic review with meta-analysis. Arch Dis Child. 2010; 95:365–370.
10. Phipatanakul W, Greene C, Downes SJ, Cronin B, Eller TJ, Schneider LC, et al. Montelukast improves asthma control in asthmatic children maintained on inhaled corticosteroids. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003; 91:49–54.
11. Baumgartner RA, Martinez G, Edelman JM, Rodriguez Gomez GG, Bernstein M, Bird S, et al. Distribution of therapeutic response in asthma control between oral montelukast and inhaled beclomethasone. Eur Respir J. 2003; 21:123–128.
12. Bjermer L, Bisgaard H, Bousquet J, Fabbri LM, Greening AP, Haahtela T, et al. Montelukast and fluticasone compared with salmeterol and fluticasone in protecting against asthma exacerbation in adults: one year, double blind, randomised, comparative trial. BMJ. 2003; 327:891.
13. Edelman JM, Turpin JA, Bronsky EA, Grossman J, Kemp JP, Ghannam AF, et al. Oral montelukast compared with inhaled salmeterol to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. A randomized, double-blind trial. Exercise Study Group. Ann Intern Med. 2000; 132:97–104.
14. Kim JH, Min UK, Choi SO, Lee SG, Hong SJ. Clinical effect of montelukast in exercise-induced asthma. J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002; 22:720–727.
15. Pearlman DS, van Adelsberg J, Philip G, Tilles SA, Busse W, Hendeles L, et al. Onset and duration of protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction by a single oral dose of montelukast. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006; 97:98–104.
16. Okubo K, Baba K. A double-blind non-inferiority clinical study of montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonist, compared with pranlukast in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Allergol Int. 2008; 57:383–390.
17. Ratner PH, Howland WC 3rd, Arastu R, Philpot EE, Klein KC, Baidoo CA, et al. Fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray provided significantly greater improvement in daytime and nighttime nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis compared with montelukast. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003; 90:536–542.
18. Cingi C, Gunhan K, Gage-White L, Unlu H. Efficacy of leukotriene antagonists as concomitant therapy in allergic rhinitis. Laryngoscope. 2010; 120:1718–1723.
19. Lieberman PL, Settipane RA. Azelastine nasal spray: a review of pharmacology and clinical efficacy in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2003; 24:95–105.
20. Cingi C, Ozlugedik S. Effects of montelukast on quality of life in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010; 142:654–658.
21. Talbot SF, Atkins PC, Goetzl EJ, Zweiman B. Accumulation of leukotriene C4 and histamine in human allergic skin reactions. J Clin Invest. 1985; 76:650–656.
23. Ruzicka T, Ring J. Enhanced releasability of prostaglandin E2 and leukotrienes B4 and C4 from leukocytes of patients with atopic eczema. Acta Derm Venereol. 1987; 67:469–475.
24. Hishinuma T, Suzuki N, Aiba S, Tagami H, Mizugaki M. Increased urinary leukotriene E4 excretion in patients with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2001; 144:19–23.
25. Ehlayel MS, Bener A, Sabbah A. Montelukast treatment in children with moderately severe atopic dermatitis. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 39:232–236.
26. Friedmann PS, Palmer R, Tan E, Ogboli M, Barclay G, Hotchkiss K, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of montelukast in adult atopic eczema. Clin Exp Allergy. 2007; 37:1536–1540.
27. Maxwell DL, Atkinson BA, Spur BW, Lessof MH, Lee TH. Skin responses to intradermal histamine and leukotrienes C4, D4, and E4 in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and in normal subjects. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1990; 86:759–765.
28. Zuberbier T, Aberer W, Asero R, Bindslev-Jensen C, Brzoza Z, Canonica GW, et al. The EAACI/GA(2) LEN/EDF/WAO Guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria: the 2013 revision and update. Allergy. 2014; 69:868–887.
29. Mora PM, Gonzalez Perez, Jimenez Villarruel M, Rodriguez Castro E, Fogelbach GG. Therapeutic options in idiopathic chronic urticaria. Rev Alerg Mex. 2005; 52:77–82.
30. Nettis E, Colanardi MC, Paradiso MT, Ferrannini A. Desloratadine in combination with montelukast in the treatment of chronic urticaria: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Clin Exp Allergy. 2004; 34:1401–1407.
31. Philip G, Hustad C, Noonan G, Malice MP, Ezekowitz A, Reiss TF, et al. Reports of suicidality in clinical trials of montelukast. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009; 124:691–696.e6.
32. Schumock GT, Stayner LT, Valuck RJ, Joo MJ, Gibbons RD, Lee TA. Risk of suicide attempt in asthmatic children and young adults prescribed leukotriene-modifying agents: a nested case-control study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 130:368–375.
33. Philip G, Hustad CM, Malice MP, Noonan G, Ezekowitz A, Reiss TF, et al. Analysis of behavior-related adverse experiences in clinical trials of montelukast. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009; 124:699–706.e8.
34. Cho JH, Kim HJ, Moon JY, Jang SM, Kim HJ, Bae SW, et al. A case of Churg-Strauss syndrome in association with leukotriene modifier therapy when oral corticosteroids were withdrawn in an asthmatic patient. J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002; 22:487–493.