Gunnar Pejler at Uppsala University has received three million kronor from Hjärt-Lungfonden to investigate how old drugs can be used against asthma.
Gunnar Pejler, professor of immunology at Uppsala University, will now deepen his work on drugs that can cause mast cells to break down. The goal is to prevent asthma attacks by stopping inflammation before it reaches the airways.
– We have already seen that certain existing drugs can cause mast cells to break down, which can prevent asthma attacks and ultimately save lives, says Pejler.
Asthma is one of Sweden's most common chronic diseases and affects both children and adults. The research aims to provide more knowledge about how mast cells affect other cells in the lungs.
Jannice Andersson, who has lived with asthma since her teens, takes medication six to eight times a day. She hopes the new research can make daily life easier for people with the disease.