TNF-alpha Directed Therapy in Asthma

This trial is a randomised, single-center, placebo-controlled, double blind, parallel group study in patients with asthma symptomatic on inhaled steroids. This trial will examine the efficacy and safety of 5 mg/kg doses of infliximab in patients with inhaled corticosteroid-dependent asthma. The primary objective of this study is to obtain pharmacological evidence for a role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in patients with asthma symptomatic on inhaled steroids and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of repeated intravenous administration of infliximab.