Overview
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in children. Whilst progress has been made in the development of novel biologics as therapy for severe asthma, the involved costs are enormous thus enabling therapy of a limited number of patients affected by severe illness. Therefore, the quest for preventive approaches targeting young children before the onset of disease (primary prevention) or after first signs of disease in children at risk (secondary prevention) has moved forward rapidly with some novel promising approaches on the near horizon.
To successfully foster the development of primary and secondary asthma prevention approaches, collaboration between academia and industry on one hand and understanding of basic immune mechanisms which may be implied in prevention of asthma and allergies. The aim of this ERS research seminar is to bring together faculty from academia and industry, basic research, and clinical expertise with young researchers to discuss how best to move the field towards successful development of novel and successful prevention strategies.
Objectives
The aims of this ERS research seminar are:
- To bring together the key players in the field of primary prevention of asthma
- Review state-of-the-art studies including basic mechanisms, animal studies, epidemiological studies and ongoing and proposed intervention studies
- To highlight the areas of uncertainly in the above areas, by peer-led critical discussion
- To educate and inspire Early Career Members (ECMs) about primary prevention
- To write and publish a position statement on prevention of asthma
Participant benefits
Established senior researchers will leave with new cross-disciplinary insights – for example mechanistic researchers will understand key clinical questions, and clinical researchers will leave with new insights into the key basic mechanisms to assess in their clinical trials. The seminar is expected to inspire the development of new trials – and develop novel groupings to deliver these studies.
Early career members will leave the seminar with an increased understanding on how studies and data are critically evaluated by peers, and an in depth understanding of the emerging issues in the area of primary preventions. ECMs will also present their research as posters for discussion and feedback by research leaders.
