One Gene Identified That Could Cause 40% of Asthma Cases

A single gene could account for as many as 40% of all asthma cases, and might offer a target, not only for new drugs, but for a screening test, British researchers said on Wednesday. “In the 25 years since I have been doing asthma research, this is the biggest discovery that’s been made,” said Dr. Stephen Holgate, who led the research at the University of Southampton.

Holgate’s team had been screening British families for an asthma gene and found five potential candidates, homing in on one. Holgate declined to name the gene, to say where it was or to describe what it does, although he said it was involved in lung function. The team plans to publish its findings in a major scientific journal.

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Compiled by Times medical writer Thomas H. Maugh II