Bronchial thermoplasty isn't ready for prime time in treating severe asthma, an expert argued. Not only is the efficacy data with the catheter-based radiofrequency technique not impressive, but the financial disincentives are fairly strong, Dr. William J. Calhoun told attendees at a debate at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology meeting. The pivotal AIR2 clinical trial showed improvements in the primary quality of life endpoint that didn't meet the threshold for a minimally important difference compared with sham treatment, noted Calhoun, of UTMB. And while there were substantial reductions in severe exacerbations, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations, those weren't statistically significant compared with sham, he argued.