Year: 2013
Type: review
Abstract: Neutrophils are central to the pathogenesis of COPD, releasing a range of pro-inflammatory and tissue destructive mediators. Sputum neutrophil numbers are elevated in COPD patients compared to healthy controls. We critically appraise the potential of sputum neutrophils as a biomarker in COPD. We show that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of this biomarker to define a phenotype of patients with more severe disease characteristics or a different prognosis. However, sputum neutrophil measurements can be used to measure the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of COPD.
Authors: Vandana Gupta, Dave Singh
Institutions: University of Manchester, Medicines Evaluation Unit
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: AstraZeneca
OpenAlex ID: W1973951393