(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A combination therapy may be necessary to treat asthma.

New research from Stockholm, Sweden, reveals asthma patients may need both inhaled corticosteroids and antileukotriene drugs. Researchers looked at whether fluticasone propionate -- a commonly prescribed inhaled corticosteroid -- reduced bronchial responsiveness to leukotriene D4. Leukotriene D4 occurs naturally and increases in many asthmatic lungs, producing allergic reactions similar to histamine.

Thirteen volunteers with mild asthma took part in the study. They had an inhalation challenge with methacholine -- a drug that stimulates secretions and smooth muscle activity -- and leukotriene D4 on consecutive days before and after two weeks of twice-daily treatments of inhaled fluticasone.

Researchers found therapy with both an inhaled corticosteroid and an oral antileukotriene for some patients with persistent asthma seems to be the best.

SOURCE: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2006;118:78-83