title: Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by dual bronchodilation with coformulation of indacaterol/glycopyrronium.
abstract: Bronchodilators are the cornerstone of the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In particular, the most commonly used drugs are inhaled long-acting agents, including long-acting β2-adrenergic agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMAs). The combination of a LABA with a LAMA, i.e. of molecules characterized by different mechanisms of action, results in a synergistic enhancement of their clinical and functional effects. Therefore, this combined treatment can be implemented in a number of cases in which disease control is not adequately achieved by a single active agent such as a LABA or a LAMA. Several LABA/LAMA fixed-dose combinations, mainly made up of newly developed compounds, are currently in advanced phases of experimental evaluation. Within such a context, the aim of this review is to outline the pharmacological basis of dual bronchodilation as well as to discuss the results of the main trials carried out using the drug combination consisting of indacaterol and glycopyrronium, a LABA and a LAMA recently introduced in the treatment of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Section of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University 'Magna Graecia' of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Girolamo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelaia
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maselli
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Matera
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000502:physiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006024:Glycopyrrolate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007189:Indans; D015363:Quinolones; C510790:indacaterol; D000109:Acetylcholine; D006024:Glycopyrrolate