How is Dupilumab revolutionising COPD Care?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, killing over 3 million people, predominantly in low and middle-income countries. It remains the seventh leading cause of poor health worldwide. The mainstay of treatment has relied on broncho-dilators and steroids but could monoclonal antibodies prove to be a game changer? 

It's an umbrella of diseases - the two most common conditions being emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In Emphysema the alveoli walls break down resulting in permanent damage to the lung tissue. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that is present for at least three months each year for two years. 

The most common cause of COPD is tobacco smoking. Other risk factors include indoor and outdoor air pollution including the burning of coal and wood, exposure to dust and occupational irritants and genetics, such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Treatment is complicated and relies on Bronchodilators, Anti-inflammatories, antibiotics,  anticholinergics and leukotriene modifiers. A new paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at the use of monoclonal antibodies in patients with type 2 inflammation. Read here.

Join this episode with Prof. Klaus Rabe, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Kiel and Director of LungClinic in Grosshansdorf.