José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Add-on treatment with asthma medication Fasenra (benralizumab) failed to reduce annual exacerbations in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to final results of two Phase 3 trials. Findings were reported in the study, “Benralizumab for the Prevention of COPD Exacerbations,”…

Treatment with a dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation of ensifentrine led to clinically meaningful and sustained improvement in lung function in people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to early data from a Phase 2 trial. Ensifentrine (RPL554) is an inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase…

A specific gene variation associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also linked with autoimmune disorders, according to a large genetic study, suggesting a role for autoimmune responses in the development of COPD. The study, “A Phenome-Wide Association Study Uncovers a Role for Autoimmunity in the…

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a minimally invasive investigative procedure called targeted lung denervation (TLD) is feasible, safe, and was found to improve lung function, according to researchers. Their study, “Long-term safety of bilateral targeted lung denervation in patients with COPD,” was published in…

A newly developed tool can predict patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are at a high risk of hospitalization due to a disease flare-up, according to a study. The new Laboratory-based Intermountain Validated Exacerbation, or LIVE, score identifies patients who may benefit from early intervention to avoid hospitalization…

Top-line results of a Phase 3 trial showed that treatment candidate Fasenra (benralizumab) failed to reduce exacerbations in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), AstraZeneca and its subsidiary MedImmune announced. The multi-center, double-blind GALATHEA (NCT02138916) study is part of AstraZeneca’s VOYAGER…

Verona Pharma’s treatment candidate for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) RPL554 works to open the airways of the lungs, aiding bronchodilation, when used with Spiriva (tiotropium), and its newer inhaled formulation is safe and appropriate for patient use, clinical trial data being presented at ATS 2018 report. RPL554 is designed…

Blocking a cellular pathway related to cholesterol metabolism shows early promise in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a German study in mice reports. The research, “Cholesterol metabolism promotes B-cell positioning during immune pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” was published in the journal EMBO Molecular…

Treatment with the triple-combination therapy Trelegy Ellipta reduced exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improved patients’ lung function and quality of life, according to a Phase 3 trial. The Phase 3 IMPACT study compared Trelegy to other common COPD medications in 10,355 patients in 37 countries, according to…

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with Spiolto Respimat (tiotropium/olodaterol) reduced the rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations, compared to Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium bromide), in a Phase 3 clinical trial, according to Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of both therapies. The results were published in the journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine,…