title: [Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: roflumilast].
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) encompasses a group of diseases characterized by chronic airway obstruction. This broad diagnostic umbrella includes several clinical phenotypes that overlap and respond differently to each type of therapeutic intervention. Roflumilast is a drug belonging to the new therapeutic class of phosphyldiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors and can be considered the first drug to be developed for a specific COPD phenotype (COPD associated with chronic bronchitis). In preclinical models, roflumilast has shown potent antiinflammatory action against a wide variety of cells and inflammatory mediators, as well as against the etiopathogenic mechanisms of COPD. The present article reviews the evidence generated during the clinical development of roflumilast, with special emphasis on studies evaluating the drug in a context similar to that of routine clinical practice.
authors: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario, Guadalajara, España. jlizquierdo@sescam.org
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Izquierdo Alonso