Itepekimab for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by various inflammation patterns, with type 1 and type 3 being the most prevalent. Type 2, which is similar to that found in asthma and is orchestrated by interleukins such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-33, is not common, but is associated with a higher disease burden, including loss of lung volume and higher exacerbations rates.

IL-33 has recently been found to play a pathogenic role in COPD development and progression; therefore, its blockade with antibodies such as itepekimab may have therapeutic potential. This review summarizes the scientific rationale for the potential use of itepekimab in COPD and reviews the available clinical data.

Based on existing clinical data, itepekimab may be a potential therapy for COPD that can be easily administered at home, with dosing tailored to the disease phase (every 2 weeks during exacerbation and every 4 weeks during stable state).