Abstract
Introduction
Research data on COPD increasingly point to systemic infl ammation as the
cause of many of the severe comorbidities associated with the disease.
However, agents under study for COPD continue to focus only on the local infl
ammation caused by the disease. Signifi cant opportunity exists for agents
that can reduce the infl ammation both in the lungs and throughout the system.
Given that inhaler drugs will not be displaced as the primary treatment for
the disease, is there a drug on the market for another indication that will
address the systemic comorbidities associated with COPD? Should any existing
therapies be able to show clear clinical benefi t on systemic infl ammation,
such an agent would gain a useful competitive edge in the COPD market.
Get the Answers You Need to Shape Your Strategy
- COPD is a progressive infl ammatory disease affecting the respiratory
tract and the lungs. What comorbidities are associated with COPD? What
roles do local and systemic infl ammation play in this disease? What is the
status of research on the connection between systemic infl ammation and
pulmonary function?
- Researchers are beginning to investigate the potential of systemic agents
in the treatment of COPD. What are some of the most promising drug classes
being studied? Will these agents have an effect on the localized symptoms and
the severe comorbidities?
- See the appendix in this report for a discussion on the current treatments
for localized COPD. What are the most effective treatments? What new
therapies need to be considered?
Scope
- The role of inflammation in the comorbidities in COPD: therapies
are needed to address the multiple facets of the disease; established agent
for another indication may be aimed at COPD.
- Risk factors: cigarette smoking; particulate dust; impaired lung
development; age; nutritional and socioeconomic factors.
- Comorbidities: chronic cardiovascular diseases; osteoporosis; type 2
diabetes; cachexia.
- Treatments most likely to address systemic infl ammation: TNF-α
inhibitors; PPAR-gamma agonists; statins; PDE-5 inhibitors.
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