Prediction of the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by blood biomarkers

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common pathologies of the respiratory system; it is characterized by increasing airflow limitation. The course of COPD is unstable and is often accompanied by periods of exacerbation, when respiratory symptoms of the disease significantly increase. The frequency of COPD exacerbations is an important predictor of its course, allowing to predict the decline in lung tissue function and the outcome of the disease. Currently, the risk of future COPD exacerbations in a patient is assessed based on the history of previous exacerbations, and the improvement of his condition is evaluated on the basis of the weakening of COPD symptoms. However, the lack of objective criteria complicates unambiguous verdict on the probability of acute condition development and the effectiveness of treatment of COPD patients. Based on the analysis of literature data we propose determination of the levels of chemokines (CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCR1/2, CD44v6), HIF-1α, procalcitonin, albumin and C-reactive protein, leukocyte cells, as well as their possible combination in the peripheral blood as an informative tool for evaluation in COPD patients.