Biologic and pharmacologic therapies in clinical development for the inflammatory response in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and debilitating condition with declining lung function associated with airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and remodeling. Inflammatory cells contribute to the disease processes via the production of proteases, fibrotic or mitogenic growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and their receptors. Particularly newer agents that treat the underlying inflammation and remodeling. Here, we briefly review current understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. This understanding has enabled the identification of several therapeutic targets that might have great potential for the development of novel anti-inflammatory and anti-remodeling biologic therapies with considerable clinical advantage for COPD. Some of these molecules have been assessed, and others are in the early stages of being assessed. This article gives an up-to-date summary of these novel therapies and their status of clinical development in targeting the various inflammatory pathways of COPD.