José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Air pollution and other environmental factors have a greater impact on genes related to respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma than genetic ancestry, a new Canadian study shows. The research, “Gene-by-environment interactions in urban…

GSK and Innoviva submitted new Phase 3 data to support label expansion of Trelegy Ellipta for European patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are at risk of an exacerbation and require triple therapy. The regulatory submission to the…

COPD increases the risk of a person having additional health conditions and taking multiple medications, a British study shows. The research, “Examining patterns of multimorbidity, polypharmacy and risk of adverse drug reactions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional UK Biobank study,” was published in the journal…

Vitamin D levels are associated with respiratory function and health, research from Australia shows. The findings suggest an additional process could be driving diseases such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). The study, “Vitamin D and respiratory health in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study,” was published…

ResMed has introduced Mobi, a portable oxygen concentrator for people with chronic respiratory diseases. Oxygen therapy is the most important non-drug component of the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. San Diego-based ResMed said Mobi, which is lightweight and has a good battery life, will go on sale in…

Zinc deficiency in the lung causes overproduction of mucus and is associated with respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new Japanese study shows. The research study, “Zinc Deficiency via a Splice Switch in Zinc Importer ZIP2/SLC39A2 Causes Cystic Fibrosis-Associated MUC5AC Hypersecretion in…

A lung transplant increases COPD patients’ risk of developing cancer, a Swedish study indicates. The research, “Risk of cancer after lung transplantation for COPD,” was published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Transplants increase the odds that people with some end-stage lung diseases…

The AIRWISE phase 4 clinical trial aiming to assess how commonly prescribed medicines may decrease the worsening of symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has begun enrolling the first patients. The AIRWISE trial (NCT03265145) is described as the world’s largest ever pragmatic clinical trial,…

An allergic sensitization to the Aspergillus fumigatus fungus may lead to bronchiectasis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Belgian researchers suggest. The study, “Sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus as a risk factor for bronchiectasis in COPD,” was published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary…