Scientists at Rutgers Health have made a groundbreaking discovery that could transform how asthma is diagnosed and monitored. They found that a simple blood test measuring levels of a molecule called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) could diagnose asthma and determine its severity. This finding could significantly improve care for people with asthma, especially children and those living in areas with limited healthcare access.

The study, soon to be published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, revealed that people with asthma have much higher levels of cAMP in their blood—sometimes up to 1,000 times higher—than those without the condition. This molecule is produced in airway smooth muscle cells and plays a key role in regulating the airways. However, the team discovered that a specific protein, or transporter, in these cells allows cAMP to “leak” into the bloodstream. To read the full story.