Effect of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate on airway inflammation in COPD: a randomised controlled trial

Airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by infiltration of CD8+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages and an increased number of neutrophils, whereas few studies have described the presence of eosinophils. Although the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids in stable COPD are unclear, recent studies suggest that combination therapy could be beneficial. A study was therefore undertaken to evaluate combined salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SFC) and fluticasone propionate (FP) alone on inflammatory cells in the airways of patients with COPD.

Patients were treated in a randomised, double blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial with either a combination of 50 microg salmeterol and 500 microg FP twice daily (SFC, n = 19, 19 men, mean age 62 years), 500 microg FP twice daily (n = 20, 15 men, mean age 64 years) or placebo (n = 21, 17 men, mean age 66 years) for 3 months. At the start and end of treatment bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsies was performed and the numbers of CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils were measured.

CD8+ cells were significantly reduced by SFC compared with placebo (difference -98.05 cells/mm(2); 95% CI -143.14 to -52.9; p<0.001). Such a marked effect was not seen with FP alone (-44.67 cells/mm(2); 95% CI -90.92 to 1.57; p = 0.06). CD68+ macrophages were also reduced by SFC compared with placebo (difference -31.68 cells/mm(2); 95% CI -61.07 to -2.29; p = 0.03) but not by FP. SFC did not significantly change neutrophils and eosinophils compared with placebo.

SFC has airway anti-inflammatory effects not seen with inhaled corticosteroids alone.