Scientists test allergy and asthma drug in inner-city kids

Scientists are launching a study to evaluate whether the medication Xolair, which is already approved for adolescents and adults, can help to reduce allergy symptoms and asthma attacks in inner-city children.

Directed by William Busse, chair of medicine at the School of Medicine and Public Health, and Christine Sorkness, professor of pharmacy and medicine, the study is part of the Inner City Asthma Consortium, a six-year, $55.8 million initiative to identify the causes and best treatments for asthma in urban children.

Children with allergies are at greater risk for developing asthma. Allergens such as house dust mites, cockroaches, molds and animal dander may contribute to the severity of a child’s asthma.

Inner-city kids are exposed to higher allergen levels and tend to have more acute asthma than those living elsewhere. Their care is complicated by infrequent visits to primary care clinics, poor adherence to prescribed medication schedules and misconceptions about asthma.