Applied to samples from the large-scale LEAD cohort, the test showed that more than 70% of participants with asthma had sensitization to specific airborne allergens. For these patients, a proven, targeted therapy already exists: allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). The findings pave the way for more personalized treatment strategies, allowing physicians to go beyond symptom control and offer a disease-modifying option.

Asthma affects roughly 300 million people worldwide and ranks among the most burdensome chronic lung diseases. Despite substantial advances in medicine, most patients still receive uniform symptomatic treatment: inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators.

In recent years, expensive biologics have been added for selected cases, raising concerns about the sustainability of asthma care. Yet for allergic asthma—the most common form—a well-established and cost-effective option exists: allergen-specific immunotherapy. What has been lacking is a practical, accurate way to identify who stands to benefit. The newly developed asthma chip offers exactly that.