An experimental pill could help adults with severe asthma, an early study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal suggests.

In the small trial, patients who were given the drug had less inflammation in their airways. And some patients with uncontrolled asthma felt their symptoms improved.

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways in the lungs and can cause a cough, wheezing and breathlessness. For most people the right treatment — for example, inhalers — can help control it, but some people have more persistent symptoms.

In this study, scientists at the University of Leicester looked at 60 patients who had severe asthma despite using steroid inhalers and being seen regularly by specialists.