Current perspective on eicosanoids in asthma and allergic diseases - EAACI Task Force consensus report, part I

Eicosanoids are biologically active lipid mediators, comprising prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes and lipoxins, involved in several pathophysiological processes relevant to asthma, allergies and allied diseases. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are the most studied eicosanoids and established inducers of airway pathophysiology including bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation. Drugs inhibiting the synthesis of lipid mediators or their effects, such as leukotriene synthesis inhibitors, leukotriene receptors antagonists, and more recently prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists, have been shown to modulate features of asthma and allergic diseases. This review, produced by an European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) task force, highlights our current understanding of eicosanoid biology and its role in mediating human pathology, with a focus on new findings relevant for clinical practice, development of novel therapeutics, and future research opportunities.