I ntroduction. Approximately 7% of Americans and 2-5% of Russians currently have asthma [1,2,3]. Asthma is characterized by airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation. This inflammation causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, which is usually worse at night and in the early morning. There are several inflammatory mediators that have been implicated in the inflammatory process, and management of these mediators can be used to treat the symptoms of asthma. The initiation of asthma therapy is based on the severity of the individual's asthma [4]. Symptoms are controlled with beta 2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids in the majority of asthmatics. However many patients with severe asthma and poorly controlled symptoms require additional forms of therapy. This review focuses on current asthma therapy as well as