COPD
An Introduction to COPD
Multitargeted approaches to symptom relief and novel disease-targeting interventions are improving the clinical management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Recently approved fixed-triple therapy in a single inhaler reduces treatment burden, improves therapy compliance and symptom relief. Inhibiting pro-inflammatory eosinophils, valve surgery and airway tissue regeneration are currently being explored. Patient-focussed pulmonary rehabilitation strategies are offering a more holistic approach to care, improving well-being and quality of life for patients living with COPD.
Browse our selection of video highlights and short articles from the conference hub, providing insights into the latest updates from major conferences and a selection of peer-reviewed articles from the journal portfolio.
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare genetic disorder that can lead to progressive, early-onset emphysema, with no current therapies able to reverse established lung damage. In this interview, Dr Karina A. Serban and Dr Maria Magallon Serrano discuss the unmet needs in AATD-related emphysema, the rationale for investigating lithium as a potential treatment, key findings from their preclinical study presented at ATS 2026, and the implications for future clinical trial development.
The phase 2b ALIENTO and phase 3 ARNASA studies investigated the efficacy and safety of astegolimab, an IL-33 inhibitor, for patients with COPD. While the primary endpoints showed mixed results, further analysis of patient-reported outcomes has shown promising results. In this Q&A, Dr Frank Sciurba outlines the objectives and findings of the health-related quality of life analysis he presented at ATS 2026, and what the results could mean for the clinical development of astegolimab.
Asthma and COPD are common airway diseases with distinct underlying mechanisms, yet in everyday practice many patients present with features of both. Differentiating between asthma-predominant and COPD-predominant disease is an important clinical challenge, with significant implications for diagnosis, treatment selection, and long-term outcomes. In this Q&A, Prof. Felix Herth discusses how clinicians can approach patients with overlapping features of asthma and COPD, including the role of clinical history, lung function testing, biomarkers, imaging, treatment selection, and the importance of reassessing response to therapy over time.
Back in December, the Chinese Alliance for Respiratory Diseases in Primary Care (CARDPC), in collaboration with the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG), delivered the first COPD Right Care Teach the Teacher programme, held in Beijing from 5–6 December 2025. The initiative marked an important advance in strengthening primary care–led COPD management in a country with an estimated 100 million people living with COPD.
The 2025 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI; November 6−10, Orlando, Florida, USA) annual meeting showcased emerging therapies and real-world insights across eosinophilic disorders, atopic disease, chronic respiratory conditions, and allergic rhinitis. From late-breaking clinical trial results to observational data, the conference highlighted advances in convenient, effective, and targeted therapies for patients, as well as strategies to optimize long-term disease management.
Today, on World COPD Day, EUFOREA is launching a new module on its Patient Portal, offering reliable, comprehensive, and easy-to-understand information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). EUFOREA’s Patient Education Manager, Dr Sophie Scheire, from Ghent (Belgium) is excited ...
The ERS Congress 2025 in Amsterdam showcased the latest advances in respiratory medicine, featuring cutting-edge research, interactive workshops, and sessions across 14 specialist assemblies. Highlights included live endoscopy demonstrations, updates on lung cancer projects, and innovative programmes for early career professionals. This year’s congress underscored global collaboration and innovation in respiratory health. touchRESPIRATORY were delighted to speak with leading experts at ERS 2025, sharing insights on some of the congress’s key presentations and breakthroughs in respiratory medicine.
Extreme weather and air pollution can pose serious risks for people living with asthma and COPD. In this interview, Dr Tugce Karamustafalioglu discusses her award-winning study on how heatwaves and poor air quality worsen symptoms, reduce quality of life, and increase exacerbations, while offering practical advice for protecting vulnerable patients.
A phase 2a study presented at ERS 2025 explored the potential of vapendavir, an oral antiviral, to treat rhinovirus-triggered COPD exacerbations. Rhinoviruses are the leading cause of COPD flare-ups, driving hospitalizations, healthcare costs, and long-term lung decline. The study demonstrated that vapendavir was well tolerated, reduced symptom severity, improved lung function, and accelerated recovery, highlighting its promise as a novel therapeutic approach for managing COPD exacerbations.
In this episode of Visionary Voices, we welcome Associate Professor Grace Vincent from CQUniversity’s Appleton Institute. A leading expert on sleep and shift work, Grace explores how disrupted sleep affects physician health in both the short and long term, as well as its impact on safety and performance. We also discuss what this means for patient outcomes and share practical strategies to manage sleep loss.
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is one of the most cost-effective interventions for people with chronic respiratory disease.1 The evidence base is strong, demonstrating benefits of improving exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Furthermore, it has been stated that research comparing ...
EUFOREA has expanded its Patient Portal to include asthma, offering reliable, expert-backed resources for people living with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) such as asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and COPD. In this Q&A, Dr. Sophie Scheire, EUFOREA’s Patient Education Manager, discusses how the portal helps bridge the knowledge gap, combat misinformation, and empower patients to take charge of their health, while also supporting healthcare professionals in providing better care.
As touchRESPIRATORY approaches 10 years of providing education for busy respiratory specialists, we are looking to the future—and it certainly looks bright! This year, we are celebrating our inaugural touchRESPIRATORY Future Leaders to recognize the outstanding talent that has entered our field in recent years. These individuals are set to innovate and transform respiratory and pulmonary medicine in the years to come.
July saw important advances in respiratory medicine, including new drug approvals and promising clinical trial results. Notable progress was made in treatments for lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension, reflecting ongoing efforts to address challenging respiratory conditions. These developments highlight a dynamic period of innovation with the potential to improve patient outcomes and expand therapeutic options.
In this Future Leaders interview, Dr Alexander Mathioudakis discusses his pioneering work in precision medicine for airway diseases, with a focus on COPD. He explains how his research is uncovering novel biomarkers, like eosinophil trajectories, to guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes. Dr Mathioudakis also shares insights on balancing innovation with evidence-based practice and offers valuable advice for early-career clinicians pursuing academic careers in respiratory medicine.
As touchRESPIRATORY approaches 10 years of providing education for busy respiratory specialists, we are looking to the future—and it certainly looks bright!
In this Q&A, Professors David Price and David Halpin discuss their ATS 2025 abstract on improving COPD outcomes through a digital adherence support package. They explore the MAGNIFY trial's design, including how an EMR-driven algorithm identified high-risk patients and how a pharmacist-led intervention combined with a digital inhaler device significantly reduced treatment failure in a real-world primary care setting.
Physician burnout is at a critical point. In this episode, Nicky speaks with Dr Alfred Atanda about why so many physicians are burning out and what can be done to change the trend. From personal experience to system-wide solutions, Dr Atanda shares valuable insights on improving physician well-being and building a more effective healthcare culture.
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