Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Exosomes — tiny vesicles used for cell communication, released from specific activated immune cells called polymorphonuclear leukocytes — can induce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when transferred to the lungs of healthy mice, a study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) shows. The study, “Activated PMN exosomes: Pathogenic…

A Phase 2 clinical trial is enrolling participants to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Verona Pharma’s dry powder inhaler RPL554 as a potential maintenance treatment for people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RPL554 is a dual inhibitor of the proteins phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 and…

Two new studies highlight the important role of mucus in cleaning and protecting the lungs, and how its accumulation and impaired clearance can contribute to the worsening of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the studies, researchers show how mucus in the lungs forms a protective…

The benefits of Daliresp (roflumilast), an approved chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy, may include an anti-inflammatory effect, with the treatment seen in a Phase 3 clinical trial to lower the number of eosinophils — a type of immune cell linked to inflammation — in the lungs of patients with moderate to severe…

GlaxoSmithKline’s application for approval of mepolizumab as an add-on therapy to reduce exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires more clinical data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a complete response letter. GSK sought approval for mepolizumab as an add-on to inhaled corticosteroid-based maintenance treatments used…

Electronic cigarettes help reduce exacerbations and improve exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who saw their condition get worse by smoking conventional cigarettes, a new study reports. The study, “Health effects in COPD smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes: a retrospective-prospective 3-year follow-up” was…

The surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids, a common procedure in children, has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infectious diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study reports. The study, “Association of Long-Term Risk of Respiratory, Allergic, and Infectious Diseases With Removal of Adenoids…

The blood growth factor called granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) underlies airway inflammation and lung tissue destruction in COPD, but also the symptoms in other tissues, including the heart and bone, a new study shows. The findings of Australian scientists at Monash University and the University of Melbourne suggest that clinical…

The antibiotic dirithromycin (no longer available in the U.S.; sold in other countries under the brand name Dynabac) may be a potentially effective therapy for acute exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to findings from a meta-analysis of antibiotics in clinical trials. Chinese researchers published…

AstraZeneca’s Daliresp (roflumilast) is now approved at 250 micrograms (mcg) for the first four weeks followed by 500 mcg thereafter to treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will help reduce the rate of discontinuation previously reported in patients…