title: [Biomarkers in COPD--do we need them?].
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still a leading cause of death, with a huge socioeconomic impact. Disease is mostly caused by cigarette smoking, characterized by persistent and progressive airway inflammation with pathological changes in the lungs and extrapulmonary and systemic consequences. The standard methods for classifying disease (i.e. forced expiratory volume in 1 second measurement) do not reflect individual characteristics and clinical status of COPD patients, and do not provide information regarding disease activity or the underlying pathologic process. Regarding the clinical evolution and prognosis, several clinical characteristics have been correlated to biomarkers. New strategies for the management of COPD are required, not only for identifying the origin of the exacerbation episodes, but also for phenotyping, assessing prognosis and tailoring treatment for each patient. We have made major gains in biomarker knowledge over the past decade. There are large-scale studies presently underway to identify novel biomarkers in COPD. Results of these investigations may lead to the development of new drugs and other interventions to improve the health outcomes of COPD patients.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Pulmonologii, Alergologii i Onkologii Pulmonologicznej, Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. K. Marcinkowskiego, 60–569 Poznań. halinagabryel@wp.pl
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Batura-Gabryel
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers