Therapeutic Approaches for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology and Microbiology
• Pharmacotherapy Research

Background:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease with increasing prevalence and mortality.
• Current pharmacotherapies for COPD, including antibiotics, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids, have shown limited success.
• A strong oral-lung axis exists, evidenced by similar oral and lung microbiomes, with oral pathogens linked to respiratory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and future pharmacotherapeutic strategies for managing COPD exacerbations.
• To emphasize the role of the oral microbiome and its connection to lung health in COPD.
• To explore novel therapeutic targets, including microbiome modulation and epigenetic modifications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current and emerging pharmacotherapeutic approaches for COPD exacerbations.
• Analysis of the established oral-lung connection and its implications for respiratory disease.
• Focus on novel strategies such as microbiome dysbiosis modulation and epigenetic interventions.

Main Results:

• The review synthesizes information on established and experimental treatments for COPD exacerbations.
• It underscores the significance of the oral microbiome in the pathogenesis and management of COPD.
• Potential therapeutic avenues include antimicrobials, mucoregulators, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories, epigenetic modifiers, and microbiome modulators.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of COPD exacerbations requires addressing the oral-lung axis and microbial dysbiosis.
• Future pharmacotherapy should integrate strategies targeting the microbiome and epigenetic factors.
• Novel approaches hold promise for improving treatment outcomes in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.