- Email: [email protected]
News for issue 4: COPD Update
ARTICLE IN PRESS
UPDATE
Respiratory Medicine: COPD Update (2006) 1, 150–152
COPD News Use of EGFR and IL-13 inhibitors may reduce mucus production and secretion in asthma and COPD patients Current treatments for asthma and COPD include anti-inflammatory steroids and bronchodilators, which ease breathing difficulties, but do not necessarily reduce mucus secretion or production. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated a transformation from ciliated cells to mucus-producing goblet cells in an animal model of COPD. In their study, which is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Tyner et al showed that long-term ciliated cell hyperplasia coincides with mucous (goblet) cell metaplasia after respiratory viral clearance in mouse airways. They blocked the excesses of ciliated and goblet cells by using two separate inhibitors. EGFR blockade (using an irreversible EGFR kinase inhibitor designated EKB-569) prevented virus-induced increases in ciliated and goblet cells and IL-13 blockade (using s-IL-13Ra2-Fc) exacerbated ciliated cell hyperplasia but still inhibits goblet cell metaplasia. Finding this sequence of events, i.e. the increase in the level of ciliated cells followed by the transdifferentiation of these cells to goblet cells offers new and potentially more effective treatment options. If the EGFR and IL-13 inhibitors are combined in a rational way, the normal architecture of the airway lining can be restored. EGFR antagonists and IL-13 inhibitors are now undergoing separate testing in the treatment of chronic airway diseases by a number of pharmaceutical companies. Sources: www.xagena.it/news/medicinenews_net_news/ 57ed1337fe4fdf9c65ddaf8555a9a1bb.html 1745-0454/$ - see front matter doi:10.1016/j.rmedu.2006.03.040
Tyner JW, et al. Blocking airway mucous cell metaplasia by inhibiting EGFR antiapoptosis and IL-13 transdifferentiation signals. J Clin Invest 2006; 116:309–21
Exposure to wood smoke can cause similar health effects to tobacco A study of women who cook over and breathe wood smoke for long periods of time has found that they can develop the same adverse health effects as tobacco smokers. The 7-year study in Mexico found that women exposed domestically to biomass develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with clinical characteristics, quality of life, and increased mortality similar in degree to that of tobacco smokers. Biomass smoke exposure starts early in life because women cook using wood stoves in the same room where children sleep, play and eat, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and possible reduction in lung growth. Sources: Ramı´rez-Venegas A, et al. Survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to biomass smoke and tobacco Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2006;173:393–97 www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/atsipf021006.php
Emotional burden of COPD A US survey has found that people with COPD suffer from a range of troubling emotions about their condition, including frustration, anxiety and depression, as well as feelings of self-blame. The survey of 649 COPD patients, which was conducted by Emphysema Foundation
ARTICLE IN PRESS News COPD for Our Rights to Survive (EFFORTS) showed that COPD’s emotional burden, compounded by fear and guilt, may discourage patients from seeking appropriate treatment. More than nine out of 10 patients experiencing extreme emotions indicated that improving regular breathing and providing long-term relief were the most desirable characteristics of a COPD treatment. These patients were also more likely to include immediate relief as a top treatment concern. Sources: www.emphysema.net. www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/ stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/ 01-31-2006/0004271116&EDATE=
151
Diet rich in meat, sodium and carbohydrate may increase risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Information about the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been added to NIHSeniorHealth, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website designed especially for seniors. More information can be found at www.nihseniorhealth.gov
A diet rich in meat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates may increase the risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms, including COPD. Researchers found that individuals whose diets are rich in meat, refined starches and sodium are 1.43 times more likely to report new onset of persistent cough with phlegm than those who consume a diet high in fruit and soy. The study which was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine used a Singapore Chinese cohort of over 50,000 people, with dietary patterns that were similar to those in the USA—a ‘meat-dim sum pattern’ and a ‘vegetable-fruit-soy pattern’. The study suggests that avoiding certain foods may help to reduce chronic respiratory symptoms, both in smokers and non-smokers. Sources: Butler LM, et al. Prospective study of dietary patterns and persistent cough with phlegm among Chinese Singaporeans. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2006;173:264–70. www.nih.gov/news/pr/nov2005/niehs-15.htm
Respiratory medicine expert named a ‘doctor of the decade’
Smoking ban in Scotland
A UK respiratory medicine clinician scientist has been named a ‘Doctor of the Decade’, according to Science Watch, an international newsletter which tracks performance in scientific research. Professor Peter Barnes, who is Head of Respiratory Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute of Imperial College London has been named as the 13th most cited author in clinical medicine in the world. He received 16148 citations between 1995 and 2005, and is the most cited medical author outside of the USA. Professor Barnes is a leading expert on asthma, and was one of the first to recognise the role of chronic inflammation in asthma and the importance of early treatment with inhaled steroids. This has since become standard clinical practice. He has also conducted research into the mechanisms of inflammation in asthma, and more recently, COPD. One of his major achievements has been to understand the molecular basis for the antiinflammatory effects of corticosteroids. Source: www.imperial.ac.uk/P7392.htm
On 26 March 2006 a smoking ban was introduced in Scotland. Under comprehensive legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament, smoking is now prohibited smoking in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, bars, hotels, theatres, sports centres, public transport, schools and all clubs. Scotland has had consistently higher rates of adult smoking than England and Wales. The two most common causes of death in Scotland in 2004 were cancer and ischaemic heart disease. In February 2006 the UK House of Commons voted to follow Scotland and end smoking in most enclosed public places. The new law will extend to all enclosed areas except private homes, residential care homes, hospitals, prisons and hotel bedrooms. The ban is expected to come into force in 2007. A recent survey found that one in five people in the UK plan to quit smoking when the bans are implemented. Sources: www.clearingtheairscotland.com www.ashscotland.org.uk www.european-lung-foundation.org
COPD information added to NIHSeniorHealth website
ARTICLE IN PRESS 152
EFA calls on MEPs to prioritize allergy, asthma and COPD in the FP7 On Wednesday 22 February, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted on the European Commission Proposal for the EU 7th Framework Programme for Research. The European
COPD News Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA) has sent each member of its committee a letter outlining the impact of allergy, asthma and COPD on the everyday lives and mortality of people living in Europe and calling upon them prioritizing these diseases in the text.
UPDATE
Respiratory Medicine: COPD Update (2006) 1, 150–152
COPD News Use of EGFR and IL-13 inhibitors may reduce mucus production and secretion in asthma and COPD patients Current treatments for asthma and COPD include anti-inflammatory steroids and bronchodilators, which ease breathing difficulties, but do not necessarily reduce mucus secretion or production. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated a transformation from ciliated cells to mucus-producing goblet cells in an animal model of COPD. In their study, which is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Tyner et al showed that long-term ciliated cell hyperplasia coincides with mucous (goblet) cell metaplasia after respiratory viral clearance in mouse airways. They blocked the excesses of ciliated and goblet cells by using two separate inhibitors. EGFR blockade (using an irreversible EGFR kinase inhibitor designated EKB-569) prevented virus-induced increases in ciliated and goblet cells and IL-13 blockade (using s-IL-13Ra2-Fc) exacerbated ciliated cell hyperplasia but still inhibits goblet cell metaplasia. Finding this sequence of events, i.e. the increase in the level of ciliated cells followed by the transdifferentiation of these cells to goblet cells offers new and potentially more effective treatment options. If the EGFR and IL-13 inhibitors are combined in a rational way, the normal architecture of the airway lining can be restored. EGFR antagonists and IL-13 inhibitors are now undergoing separate testing in the treatment of chronic airway diseases by a number of pharmaceutical companies. Sources: www.xagena.it/news/medicinenews_net_news/ 57ed1337fe4fdf9c65ddaf8555a9a1bb.html 1745-0454/$ - see front matter doi:10.1016/j.rmedu.2006.03.040
Tyner JW, et al. Blocking airway mucous cell metaplasia by inhibiting EGFR antiapoptosis and IL-13 transdifferentiation signals. J Clin Invest 2006; 116:309–21
Exposure to wood smoke can cause similar health effects to tobacco A study of women who cook over and breathe wood smoke for long periods of time has found that they can develop the same adverse health effects as tobacco smokers. The 7-year study in Mexico found that women exposed domestically to biomass develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with clinical characteristics, quality of life, and increased mortality similar in degree to that of tobacco smokers. Biomass smoke exposure starts early in life because women cook using wood stoves in the same room where children sleep, play and eat, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and possible reduction in lung growth. Sources: Ramı´rez-Venegas A, et al. Survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to biomass smoke and tobacco Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2006;173:393–97 www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/atsipf021006.php
Emotional burden of COPD A US survey has found that people with COPD suffer from a range of troubling emotions about their condition, including frustration, anxiety and depression, as well as feelings of self-blame. The survey of 649 COPD patients, which was conducted by Emphysema Foundation
ARTICLE IN PRESS News COPD for Our Rights to Survive (EFFORTS) showed that COPD’s emotional burden, compounded by fear and guilt, may discourage patients from seeking appropriate treatment. More than nine out of 10 patients experiencing extreme emotions indicated that improving regular breathing and providing long-term relief were the most desirable characteristics of a COPD treatment. These patients were also more likely to include immediate relief as a top treatment concern. Sources: www.emphysema.net. www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/ stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/ 01-31-2006/0004271116&EDATE=
151
Diet rich in meat, sodium and carbohydrate may increase risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Information about the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been added to NIHSeniorHealth, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website designed especially for seniors. More information can be found at www.nihseniorhealth.gov
A diet rich in meat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates may increase the risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms, including COPD. Researchers found that individuals whose diets are rich in meat, refined starches and sodium are 1.43 times more likely to report new onset of persistent cough with phlegm than those who consume a diet high in fruit and soy. The study which was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine used a Singapore Chinese cohort of over 50,000 people, with dietary patterns that were similar to those in the USA—a ‘meat-dim sum pattern’ and a ‘vegetable-fruit-soy pattern’. The study suggests that avoiding certain foods may help to reduce chronic respiratory symptoms, both in smokers and non-smokers. Sources: Butler LM, et al. Prospective study of dietary patterns and persistent cough with phlegm among Chinese Singaporeans. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2006;173:264–70. www.nih.gov/news/pr/nov2005/niehs-15.htm
Respiratory medicine expert named a ‘doctor of the decade’
Smoking ban in Scotland
A UK respiratory medicine clinician scientist has been named a ‘Doctor of the Decade’, according to Science Watch, an international newsletter which tracks performance in scientific research. Professor Peter Barnes, who is Head of Respiratory Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute of Imperial College London has been named as the 13th most cited author in clinical medicine in the world. He received 16148 citations between 1995 and 2005, and is the most cited medical author outside of the USA. Professor Barnes is a leading expert on asthma, and was one of the first to recognise the role of chronic inflammation in asthma and the importance of early treatment with inhaled steroids. This has since become standard clinical practice. He has also conducted research into the mechanisms of inflammation in asthma, and more recently, COPD. One of his major achievements has been to understand the molecular basis for the antiinflammatory effects of corticosteroids. Source: www.imperial.ac.uk/P7392.htm
On 26 March 2006 a smoking ban was introduced in Scotland. Under comprehensive legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament, smoking is now prohibited smoking in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, bars, hotels, theatres, sports centres, public transport, schools and all clubs. Scotland has had consistently higher rates of adult smoking than England and Wales. The two most common causes of death in Scotland in 2004 were cancer and ischaemic heart disease. In February 2006 the UK House of Commons voted to follow Scotland and end smoking in most enclosed public places. The new law will extend to all enclosed areas except private homes, residential care homes, hospitals, prisons and hotel bedrooms. The ban is expected to come into force in 2007. A recent survey found that one in five people in the UK plan to quit smoking when the bans are implemented. Sources: www.clearingtheairscotland.com www.ashscotland.org.uk www.european-lung-foundation.org
COPD information added to NIHSeniorHealth website
ARTICLE IN PRESS 152
EFA calls on MEPs to prioritize allergy, asthma and COPD in the FP7 On Wednesday 22 February, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted on the European Commission Proposal for the EU 7th Framework Programme for Research. The European
COPD News Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA) has sent each member of its committee a letter outlining the impact of allergy, asthma and COPD on the everyday lives and mortality of people living in Europe and calling upon them prioritizing these diseases in the text.