Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

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…

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) carry much higher levels of glucose in their airways, increasing the growth of bacteria and consequently the risk of infections, according to researchers from Imperial College London. Their study, “Role of airway glucose in bacterial infections in patients with chronic obstructive…

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Innoviva recently presented positive results of a study showing that Anoro Ellipta is more effective than Stiolto Respimat in symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results were presented at the 2017 CHEST Annual Meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Toronto, Canada,…

Stem cells offer protective effects for damaged lung cells exposed to cigarette smoking by alleviating oxidative stress in mitochondria, a study shows. These results were also observed in mice and suggest a potential new therapeutic strategy for oxidative stress-dependent lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study…