Treatment Response Biomarkers in Asthma and COPD

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Immunology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are prevalent, heterogeneous chronic respiratory diseases with overlapping and distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Understanding diverse disease phenotypes is crucial for effective clinical management and treatment personalization.
• Advances in immunology have significantly improved the understanding of asthma, leading to targeted therapies like monoclonal antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the critical need for accurate diagnosis and assessment in managing asthma and COPD.
• To highlight the role of biomarkers in facilitating targeted treatment strategies and disease monitoring.
• To review current understanding and remaining uncertainties in obstructive airway disease management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of immunological studies and clinical data.
• Analysis of evidence linking specific biomarkers to disease phenotypes and treatment responses.
• Assessment of current therapeutic approaches and their efficacy in asthma and COPD.

Main Results:

• Eosinophilia in COPD is associated with increased exacerbation risk but also improved treatment response and reduced mortality.
• Eosinophilia is recognized as a treatable trait in COPD, supporting inhaled corticosteroid use.
• Significant progress has been made in understanding asthma phenotypes and developing targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis and phenotyping are essential for optimizing asthma and COPD management.
• Biomarker identification, such as eosinophilia, enables personalized treatment strategies.
• Despite advances, significant uncertainties persist in the clinical management of obstructive airway diseases.