title: The challenges of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)--a perspective.
abstract: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease, primarily caused by cigarette smoke, which will soon become the third leading cause of death globally. Despite the importance of the problem, our real understanding of the biological underpinnings of COPD remains incomplete. Consequently, our first-line therapies, while helpful, are not yet as effective as they need to be. In this review, we will focus on these challenges and more, including the role of impaired tissue repair and adaptive immunity in disease pathogenesis, determining who may be at risk, describing COPD phenotypes and potential biomarkers. New ideas for chronic disease management and prevention of exacerbations will also be discussed. While much remains to be accomplished, meeting these challenges will bring rewards because what we learn will have implications for the understanding and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases beyond COPD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. Ninth Avenue, C272, Denver, Colorado 80220, USA. vandivierb@njc.org
authors.forename: R William
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Vandivier
authors.forename: Norbert F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Voelkel
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors