Anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: similarities and differences to asthma.
Both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are characterised by the presence of airway inflammation. In the stable disease state, the predominant regulatory and effector cells, and the anatomic focus of the changes associated with airway inflammation, differ between COPD and asthma. However, during exacerbations, these patterns of inflammation become more similar. The benefit of anti-inflammatory therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is well established in asthma, whereas the extent of the anti-inflammatory effects of ICS in COPD is debated. Understanding the distinctive and, in exacerbations, the changing patterns of inflammation in COPD and asthma allows a better appreciation of the potential for ICS to target the unique pathophysiology of COPD.
Jeffery
Peter
P
Royal Brompton Hospital Lung Pathology, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK. p.jeffery@imperial.ac.uk
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators