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Mortality in COPD: inevitable or preventable? Insights from the cardiovascular arena.
COPD. 2008 Jun; 5(3): 187-200
Halpin D
Mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease continues to rise, whereas mortality rates related to cardiovascular disease appear to be slowing, or even declining. This is due at least in part to more widespread use of preventative therapies that have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality, raising the question of whether appropriate use of therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which potentially reduce mortality could have a similar impact. This article discusses approaches used successfully in managing heart disease and considers whether these can be applied to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and whether a better understanding of the strongest predictors of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is needed. It reviews the role of inhaled corticosteroids, both alone and in combination with long-acting beta(2)-agonists, in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including the role of combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting beta(2)-agonists (budesonide/formoterol or salmeterol/fluticasone propionate) in decreasing exacerbations and improving health status, potentially providing survival benefits in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This review also discusses the potential impact of treatments indicated for cardiovascular disease on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and possible links between the two diseases.
Beta2-agonists potentiate corticosteroid-induced neutrophil survival.
COPD. 2008 Jun; 5(3): 163-9
Perttunen H, Moilanen E, Zhang X, Barnes PJ, Kankaanranta H
Neutrophils are considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma. Recent guidelines recommend the use of a combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) in the treatment of COPD with exacerbations and asthma not adequately controlled by ICS alone. LABA have been proposed to have a synergistic effect with corticosteroids by activating glucocorticoid receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of beta2-agonists on the inhibitory effects of corticosteroids on human neutrophil apoptosis. In addition, the effects of beta2-agonists on spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis and on GM-CSF- and LTB4-afforded survival were also evaluated. Neutrophils were isolated from human blood under sterile conditions and cultured for 16 hours. Apoptosis was assessed by relative DNA fragmentation assay. Morphological analysis was used as a control method to confirm the occurrence of apoptosis. Salbutamol, formoterol and salmeterol prolonged the lifespan of budesonide- and fluticasone propionate-treated neutrophils by inhibiting apoptosis. Formoterol and salbutamol partly reversed the inhibitory effect of GM-CSF on neutrophil apoptosis. In contrast, the effects of beta(2)-agonists on spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis and on LTB(4)-afforded survival were negligible. beta2-agonists potentiate corticosteroid-induced neutrophil survival at clinically relevant drug concentrations. Whether these effects translate into clinically relevant changes in lung neutrophil numbers remains to be demonstrated.
Is salmeterol/fluticasone propionate equivalent to tiotropium bromide in the treatment of COPD?
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008 Jul 1; 178(1): 105; author reply 106-7
Gillissen A
[Adrenal insufficiency during inhaled corticosteroid treatment in a child with asthma]
Ugeskr Laeger. 2008 Jun 9; 170(24): 2161
Bjerre JV, Bender L, Naeraa RW, Rix M
We report a 12 year-old asthmatic girl with adrenal insufficiency during inhaled corticosteroid treatment. Symptoms, investigations and treatment are discussed.
Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Mar; 30(2): 149-71
Moral MA, Tomillero A
Gateways to Clinical Trials are a guide to the most recent clinical trials in current literature and congresses. The data in the following tables has been retrieved from the Clinical Trials Knowledge Area of Prous Science Integrity, the drug discovery and development portal, http://integrity.prous.com.This issue focuses on the following selection of drugs: 131-I-Chlorotoxin, 423557; Abatacept, Ad.Egr.TNF.11D, Adalimumab, AE-941, Ambrisentan, AMR-001, Anacetrapib, Anakinra, Aripiprazole, Atazanavir sulfate; BAY-639044, Bazedoxifene acetate, Belimumab, Bevacizumab, Bortezomib, Botulinum toxin type B, Brivaracetam, Bucindolol hydrochloride; Carfilzomib, Carisbamate, CCX-282, CD20Bi, Ceftobiprole, Certolizumab pegol, CF-101, Cinacalcet hydrochloride, Cypher; Darifenacin hydrobromide, Degarelix acetate, Denosumab, Desvenlafaxine succinate, Dexlansoprazole, Dexverapamil, Drotrecogin alfa (activated), Duloxetine hydrochloride, Dutasteride; Efalizumab, EPs-7630, Escitalopram oxalate, Etoricoxib; Fluticasone furoate, Fondaparinux sodium, Fospropofol disodium; Hexadecyloxypropyl-cidofovir, HIV gp120/NefTat/AS02A, HPV-6/11/16/18; INCB-18424, Incyclinide, Inhalable human insulin, Insulin detemir; KNS-760704, KW-0761; Lacosamide, Lenalidomide, Levetiracetam, Licofelone, Lidocaine/prilocaine; mAb 216, MEDI-528, Men ACWY, Meningococcal C-CRM197 vaccine, Methylnaltrexone bromide; Nemifitide ditriflutate, Nicotine conjugate vaccine, Nilotinib hydrochloride monohydrate; Octaparin; Parathyroid hormone (human recombinant), Pegaptanib octasodium, Pitrakinra, Prasterone, Pregabalin; Ranelic acid distrontium salt, Rasagiline mesilate, Retigabine, Rimonabant, RTS,S/AS02D; Sarcosine, Sitaxentan sodium, Solifenacin succinate, Sunitinib malate; Taranabant, Taxus, Teduglutide, Teriparatide, Ticagrelor, Travoprost, TRU-015; USlipristal acetate, Urocortin 2; Vardenafil hydrochloride hydrate; YM-155, Yttrium 90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan; Zanolimumab, Zoledronic acid monohydrate, Zotarolimus, Zotarolimus-eluting stent.
Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Jun; 116(6): 799-805
Alexis NE, Lay JC, Haczku A, Gong H, Linn W, Hazucha MJ, Harris B, Tal-Singer R, Peden DB
BACKGROUND: Ozone exposure induces airway neutrophilia and modifies innate immune monocytic cell-surface phenotypes in healthy individuals. High-dose inhaled corticosteroids can reduce O(3)-induced airway inflammation, but their effect on innate immune activation is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We used a human O(3) inhalation challenge model to examine the effectiveness of clinically relevant doses of inhaled corticosteroids on airway inflammation and markers of innate immune activation in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Seventeen O(3)-responsive subjects [> 10% increase in the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in sputum, PMNs per milligram vs. baseline sputum] received placebo, or either a single therapeutic dose (0.5 mg) or a high dose (2 mg) of inhaled fluticasone proprionate (FP) 1 hr before a 3-hr O(3) challenge (0.25 ppm) on three separate occasions at least 2 weeks apart. Lung function, exhaled nitric oxide, sputum, and systemic biomarkers were assessed 1-5 hr after the O(3) challenge. To determine the effect of FP on cellular function, we assessed sputum cells from seven subjects by flow cytometry for cell-surface marker activation. RESULTS: FP had no effect on O(3)-induced lung function decline. Compared with placebo, 0.5 mg and 2 mg FP reduced O(3)-induced sputum neutrophilia by 18% and 35%, respectively. A similar effect was observed on the airway-specific serum biomarker Clara cell protein 16 (CCP16). Furthermore, FP pretreatment significantly reduced O(3)-induced modification of CD11b, mCD14, CD64, CD16, HLA-DR, and CD86 on sputum monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed and extended data demonstrating the protective effect of FP against O(3)-induced airway inflammation and immune cell activation.
Br J Pharmacol. 2008 Jun 16;
Banerjee A, Damera G, Bhandare R, Gu S, Lopez-Boado YS, Panettieri RA, Tliba O
Background and purpose:Chemokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis of asthma and facilitate the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the airways. Evidence now suggests that airway smooth muscle (ASM) may serve as a source of chemokines in inflamed airways. Although vitamin D has potent anti-inflammatory properties in vitro in some cell types, its effects on ASM cells remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether 1alpha, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D(3) (calcitriol) modulated chemokine production in ASM.Experimental approach:Human ASM cell cultures were derived from tracheal samples taken during surgery. ASM cells were treated with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and/or interferon gamma (IFNgamma) for 24 h in the presence of calcitriol and/or the glucocorticoid fluticasone added 2 h before. RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and fractalkine (FKN) levels in cell supernatants were measured by ELISA.Key results:In TNFalpha-treated cells, calcitriol inhibited RANTES and IP-10 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. FKN levels were negligible. In TNFalpha/IFNgamma-treated cells, whereas fluticasone or calcitriol alone partially inhibited RANTES secretion (by 38 and 20%, respectively), the combination of both drugs additively inhibited RANTES secretion (by 60%). No effect was observed on IP-10 secretion. Whereas fluticasone enhanced FKN secretion (by 50%), calcitriol significantly decreased FKN levels (by 50%). Interestingly, calcitriol blocked the stimulatory effect of fluticasone on FKN secretion, which was inhibited by 60% with the combination of calcitriol and fluticasone.Conclusions and implications:These findings suggest that vitamin D uniquely modulates human ASM expression of chemokines and may exert some beneficial effects in the treatment of steroid-resistant patients with asthma.British Journal of Pharmacology advance online publication, 16 June 2008; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.232.
Can Respir J. 2008 May-Jun; 15(4): 193-8
Gelb AF, Taylor CF, Shinar CM, Gutierrez CA, Zamel N
BACKGROUND: Monitoring noninvasive biomarkers of inflammation is an important adjunct in asthma therapy. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to identify airway and alveolar site(s) of inflammation using exhaled nitric oxide (NO) as a marker in asthmatic patients, and to evaluate the NO response to maintenance fluticasone 250 mug/salmeterol 50 mug (F/S) and add-on montelukast 10 mg (M). METHODS: Thirty (24 women) nonsmoking, mild to moderate asthmatic patients were studied, mean age (+/- SD) 43+/-9 years, treated with F/S for more than one year. All were clinically stable for longer than eight weeks and had not taken oral corticosteroids and/or leukotriene antagonists for eight weeks before the present study. Spirometry, Juniper asthma symptom score, fractional exhaled NO (FENO) 100 mL/s, bronchial NO and alveolar NO concentration (CANO) were measured in a single-blind, nonrandomized crossover study. Protocol: Visit 1: baseline F/S; visit 2: after four weeks of F/S plus M; visit 3: after four weeks of S plus M; and visit 4: after four weeks of S only. Values in asthmatic patients were also compared with 34 nonsmoking age-matched healthy controls with normal lung function. RESULTS: After 180 mug aerosolized metered dose inhaler albuterol, the forced expiratory volume in 1 s at baseline was 2.6+/-0.8 L (86%+/-16% of the predicted value) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s over the forced vital capacity was 77%+/-9% (mean +/- SD), and was similar at visits 2 to 4. Juniper scores were mildly abnormal at visits 1 to 3, but significantly worse (P=0.03) at visit 4 versus visits 1 to 3. FENO values at visits 1 to 3 were similar but significantly increased (P=0.007) at visit 4. Bronchial NO was higher (P=0.03) at visit 4, versus visits 1 and 2, and was no different at visit 3. Compared with the healthy subjects, FENO and bronchial NO values were abnormal (greater than the normal mean plus 2 SD) in 33% of asthmatic patients at visits 1 to 3. CANO was similar for visits 1 to 4. CANO was abnormal (greater than the normal mean + 2 SD) in 20% of asthmatic patients. CONCLUSION: In clinically stable asthmatic patients, despite controller treatment including moderate-dose inhaled corticosteroids and add-on M, 33% of mild to moderate asthmatic patients have ongoing nonsuppressed bronchial sites of increased NO production, compared with healthy control subjects. These controllers have no effect on CANO, which was abnormal in 20% of the asthmatic patients studied. The addition of add-on M to baseline moderate-dose inhaled corticosteroid did not further reduce total exhaled, bronchial and/or alveolar NO production.
Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2008 May 1;
Bleecker ER, Emmett A, Crater G, Knobil K, Kalberg C
This retrospective analysis of data from two multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel group studies compared the efficacy of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FSC) 250/50mcg twice daily with ipratropium bromide/albuterol (IB/ALB) 36/206 mcg four times daily in albuterol-reversible (n=320 [44%]) and non-reversible (n=399 [56%]) patients with COPD. In reversible and non-reversible patients, both treatments significantly increased FEV(1)AUC(0-6h) from baseline and the magnitude of improvement was larger in reversible patients. FSC increased FEV(1)AUC(0-6h) by 1.46+/-0.08 and 1.98+/-0.13 l-h at Day 1 and Week 8, respectively, in reversible patients, compared with 0.71+/-0.06 and 0.94+/-0.10 l-h in non-reversible patients (p
Fluticasone furoate nasal spray in allergic rhinitis.
Drugs Today (Barc). 2008 Apr; 44(4): 251-60
Goyal N, Hochhaus G
Fluticasone furoate is a novel glucocorticoid developed for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and other inflammatory diseases. Fluticasone furoate demonstrates high systemic clearance, low oral bioavailability and low absolute bioavailability after intranasal administration (