Effect of KIT Inhibition by Imatinib on Airway Mast Cells in Patients with Severe Refractory Asthma (KIA)

Mast cells (MCs) persist in severe asthmatic airways despite corticosteroid treatment. Stem cell factor and its receptor, KIT, are central to MC homeostasis. We evaluated the effect of imatinib, a KIT inhibitor, on airway mast cells in patients with severe asthma.