Over the last few years we have witnessed tremendous progress in the field of eicosanoids and
their therapeutic applications. Receptor an tagonists for leukotrienes have been tested as
anti-inflammatories and are on the market as a treatment for asthma. Receptor agonists for pro
stacyclin are being tested for the treatment of peripheral vascular dis ease and selective
inhibitors of cyclooxygenase type II were just ap proved for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis. All these developments are the culmination of many years and man-hours of careful
research. The field has now entered an upswing that will result in novel thera peutic
applications within the next 10 years. New molecules and me diators have been identified new
enzymes and pathways elucidated and new therapeutic approaches have emerged. The concept of ei
cosanoids as pro-inflammatory molecules is being challenged and their role as regulators is
increasingly recognized. In fact some of these molecules may be important endogenous
anti-inflammatory agents.
