Cure for asthma could very soon be found as scientists have discovered a protein which is the main cause of a condition that spoils the lives of more than five million in the UK and many others across the world. The findings were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

As per experts the breakthrough is a big success. They also hope that it could lead to a class of drugs that are originally developed for osteoporosis reversing narrowing, twitchiness and inflammation in the lungs.

Experiments conducted on mice and human airway tissue from asthmatics and healthy people identified the gene CaSR (calcium sensing receptor) that causes asthma.

Professor Daniela Riccardi, of Cardiff University said, “Our findings are incredibly exciting. For first time we have found link between airways inflammation which can be caused by environmental triggers - such as allergens, cigarette smoke and car fumes - and airways twitchiness in allergic asthma”.

She said if they would replicate the study in human clinical trials then it will be better than any other drugs available in the market.

It has been found that Professor Riccardi had spent most of her career studying osteoporosis and came across the protein's mystery role while she began working on asthma only five years ago.

As per experts calcilytics were first developed for the treatment of osteoporosis around 15 years ago. Their main aim was to strengthen deteriorating bone by targeting CaSR to induce the release of an anabolic hormone.

The findings of the experiment has provided researchers with the unique opportunity to re-purpose these drugs, potentially accelerating the time it takes for them to be approved for use in asthma patients.

Researchers associated with the study said they would need about £10 million for the patient trials and are talking to potential investors.