COPD and biologic treatment: state of the art

Abstract

Purpose of review: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, heterogeneous disease associated with abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles and gases. The progression of disease leads to respiratory failure, disability and premature death. Although recent progress in reducing the global burden of many chronic disease, such as heart disease and cancer, mortality and morbidity due to COPD continue to increase despite of cigarette smoking worldwide policy. Additionally, diagnostic and therapeutic options have not changed in decades. While patients affected by other respiratory disease may benefit with a personalized precision medicine, thanks to the new biological treatment, to date, there is no biological treatment available for COPD. COPD is generally a neutrophils-predominant disease but approximately 40% of patients with COPD had also an eosinophilic airway inflammation.

Recent findings: different Phase III trials have been recently performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of several biological treatments, mostly against eosinophilic inflammation and, to date, some of this trial, still ongoing have promising results.

Summary: This review resumes the rationale, the attempts of biological treatment in COPD and latest promising results.