Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Measuring inflammatory markers during routine blood tests in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could acute exacerbations at risk of experiencing worse outcomes, according to a small literature review study. Specifically, the researchers suggest measuring the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) — an indicator of systemic or body-wide inflammation. The…

AstraZeneca has acquired the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize C4X Discovery’s oral NRF2 activator for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other inflammatory and respiratory diseases. The activator program aims to harness the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of NRF2 in these conditions, although COPD will be…

Therapeutic Solutions International (TSOI) has launched a pharmaceutical spin-off — Breathe Biologics — that will take the lead in developing and marketing therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including JadiCell, its investigational stem cell therapy. TSOI has licensed to Breathe Biologics the investigational new drug (IND) application for…

Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a study of patients in Spain reported, with depression linked to a greater risk of a repeat hospitalization due to acute disease worsening. No association, however, was found between prognosis, or the disease’s likely course,…

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a higher risk of developing heart disease, even if they only have mild lung function impairments, a study suggests. Also, being male, older, and using statins — a group of medicines commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels…

The digital Kaia Health mobile app helped people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to better adhere to a physical activity plan after completing an in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation program, a study found. Moreover, the patients who used the application for six months also saw…

Among people with lung cancer who undergo tumor removal surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to a higher rate of postoperative pulmonary complications and longer hospital stays, including a greater need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, according to a large retrospective Australian study. A history of…

Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found the Wellinks health mobile app useful and valuable for managing the disease and treatment, a small pilot study suggests. According to study authors, the Wellinks platform may aid patient engagement and outcomes. “It’s exciting to see this population of chronically ill patients successfully…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic equivalent to AstraZeneca’s Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) as a maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The generic, produced by Mylan Pharmaceuticals now part of Viatris, will be available as a metered-dose inhaler. It is intended…

High levels of the progenitor marker LGR6 in lung samples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients may lock the lungs in a pro-regenerative state and ultimately trigger the exhaustion of lung progenitor cells, a study reports. According to researchers,  this ultimately limits the ability of the lungs to…