A vaccine made with synthetic pieces of bacterial DNA has been shown in animal studies not only to stop asthma in its tracks but also to reverse the lung damage caused by the disease, according to California scientists. Currently available asthma medications control only the symptoms of the disease. The new vaccine — while still in the preliminary stages of development — is the first to bring the disease process to an end and allow healing to take place.The vaccine, which works by stimulating a broad protective response in the immune system, is now being studied in human subjects. Preliminary trials in humans show it provides relief for hay fever sufferers, and trials are planned for asthma patients.Its ability to reverse lung damage has been demonstrated in experiments with monkeys and mice.
