title: Critical assessment of the value of sputum neutrophils.
abstract: Neutrophils are central to the pathogenesis of COPD, releasing a range of pro-inflammatory and tissue destructive mediators. Sputum neutrophil numbers are elevated in COPD patients compared to healthy controls. We critically appraise the potential of sputum neutrophils as a biomarker in COPD. We show that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of this biomarker to define a phenotype of patients with more severe disease characteristics or a different prognosis. However, sputum neutrophil measurements can be used to measure the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of COPD.
authors: University of Manchester, Medicines Evaluation Unit, University Hospital Of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, M23 9QZ, UK. vgupta@meu.org.uk
authors: Vandana
authors: V
authors: Gupta
authors: Dave
authors: D
authors: Singh
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers