Two new platelet-derived factors have been linked with asthma pathogenesis. It appears that one is anti-inflammatory, while the other is pro-inflammatory. The latest data on these new factors were presented at an IBC USA conference on Asthma [Philadelphia, US; October 1995]. Other presentations provided an update on the involvement of interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-8 and IL-4 in modulating airway inflammation and bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and the progress being made in the related area of eosinophil receptor blockade.