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. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 107-114 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2013 |
