asthma

Stokes Peebles, MD, right, Mark Rusznak, PhD, and their colleagues have identified a potential drug target for treating asthma. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
February 4, 2026

Broad genetic study reveals new drug target for asthma

The findings could bring relief to the more than 26 million people in the United States with asthma, a chronic and complex inflammatory disease of the airways.

By Bill Snyder
June 17, 2025

VUMC-led research a step closer to understanding, preventing asthma 

“Findings from this study indicate that children who develop wheezing have different airway characteristics early in life, even before they develop asthma,” said Tina Hartert, MD, MPH.

By Bill Snyder
May 19, 2025

New study highlights improved treatment approach for people with mild asthma

A multicenter trial found that adding budesonide, an inhaled steroid, to albuterol significantly reduced severe asthma attacks compared to using albuterol alone.

By Christina Echegaray
November 13, 2024

Study to explore antibiotics’ role in childhood asthma

Goal is to inform the design of microbiome-based therapeutics that can help deliver antibiotics safely during early life and reduce the burden of childhood asthma.

By Jessica Pasley
October 25, 2024

Asthma drug does not speed COVID-19 recovery: study

The study, a randomized and controlled clinical trial, tested the effectiveness of montelukast in 1,250 outpatients with acute post-COVID-19 symptoms.

By Bill Snyder and Shantell Kirkendoll
Image of the U.S., with markers that note cities where the Home Owners’ Loan Corp. conducted a city survey of impacted areas. (Source: Mapping Inequality)
September 24, 2024

Poverty rates linked to asthma in ‘redlined’ areas

Neighborhoods that were discriminated against, called ‘redlined areas,’ are known to have higher levels of air pollution from industry and vehicles, especially diesel-fueled trucks, buses and cars.

By Craig Boerner
April 24, 2023

Study finds early RSV infection linked to significantly increased risk of asthma in children

A Vanderbilt study has found that RSV infection in the first year of life is associated with a significantly increased risk of asthma in children.
By Nancy Humphrey
February 21, 2023

Diabetes drug may improve asthma

New biomarker finding strengthens the case for using GLP-1R agonists to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes who also suffer from asthma.
By Sarah E. Glass
November 10, 2022

Clinical trial at VUMC tests novel treatment for asthma

VUMC has begun enrolling patients with asthma in a clinical trial of a novel treatment: a medication approved to treat diabetes and obesity.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 21, 2022

Study explores role RSV plays in later asthma development

A Vanderbilt clinical project will follow 1,950 Middle Tennessee children to determine how genes and the environment interact with RSV infection during the first year of life and contribute to asthma development
By Leah Mann
December 8, 2021

International study supports dupilumab for treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in children

In a late-stage clinical trial, the biologic agent dupilumab reduced the rate of severe asthma attacks and improved lung function and asthma control for children ages 6 to 11 with moderate-to-severe asthma, offering a new option to these patients.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 11, 2021

CRISPR screen identifies new anti-inflammatory drug target

A novel CRISPR screen developed by Vanderbilt researchers identified a promising new target for anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 20, 2021

Type 2 diabetes medication shown to benefit asthma patients

Type 2 diabetes patients who also have asthma are benefitting from a diabetes medication, typically given to help the pancreas produce more insulin, that also improves asthma symptoms and may reduce lung and airway inflammation.
By Craig Boerner