Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists and 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors in Asthma

Cysteinyl leukotrienes, leukotrienes C4, D4 and E4, are important mediators of asthma derived from the oxidative 5-lipoxygenase pathway of archidonic acid metabolism, which were discovered by the late 1980s. Research programs within the pharmaceutical industry have led to the discovery of many molecules that are capable of inhibiting the effects of these mediators. These inhibitors have now become available for the treatment of asthma in the form of three cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, montelukast, zafirlukast and pranlukast, and one inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, zileuton, which are available in many countries round the world.