Key unmet needs in understanding asthma mechanisms and the nature of the unmet need
| Key unmet need | Where needed | Nature of the unmet need# |
| Mechanisms of onset of both allergic and non-allergic asthma | Onset | Birth cohort studies, pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Role of early life viruses and bacteria as causative agents of asthma | Onset | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Understanding mechanisms underlying the progression of virus-induced early wheezing to later well-defined asthma | Onset Progression | Birth cohort studies, pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Identifying early life risk factors to enable accurate prediction of which early wheezers will later develop asthma to permit primary prevention | Onset Progression | Birth cohort studies, pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Mechanism of progression to treatment refractory severe asthma | Progression | Pre-clinical models, targets, therapies, clinical studies |
| Role of pro-Th2 cytokines IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP and of PGD2/CRTH2 | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, targets, therapies, clinical studies |
| Understanding mechanisms of development of immune reactivity versus immune tolerance in asthma | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Mechanisms of non-allergic asthma | Onset Progression | Pre-clinical models, targets, therapies, clinical studies |
| Role of air pollution, occupational and other environmental exposures, second hand smoke | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, targets, therapies, clinical studies |
| Protective versus pathogenic role of gut and lung microbiomes | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, targets, clinical studies |
| New anti-viral therapies and vaccines | Onset Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, therapies, clinical studies |
| Understanding mechanisms of increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infection in asthma | Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies |
| Understanding asthma phenotypes expressing deficient anti-viral immunity, and the mechanisms involved | Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies |
| Understanding mechanisms of action of pro-resolving lipid mediators in asthma | Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies |
| Understanding neural pathways | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Understanding role of obesity, diet, hormones and pregnancy | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Mechanisms of airway remodelling | Progression | Pre-clinical models, novel targets, new therapies, clinical studies |
| Mechanisms underpinning relationship between psychological factors and asthma | Onset Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, clinical studies |
| Mechanisms of adverse effects of asthma therapies | Progression Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, clinical studies |
| Translating genetic findings to disease mechanisms | Onset Exacerbation | Pre-clinical models, clinical studies |
#: pre-clinical models may include in vitro studies in human cells as well as in vivo studies in animal models; clinical studies may include human challenge (virus, allergen, pollution) models as well as mechanistic and interventional clinical studies.