Incorporating Biomarkers in COPD Management: The Research Keeps Going

Abstract

Globally, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, having a significant socioeconomic effect. Several molecular mechanisms have been related to COPD including chronic inflammation, telomere shortening, and epigenetic modifications. Nowadays, there is an increasing need for novel therapeutic approaches for the management of COPD. These treatment strategies should be based on finding the source of acute exacerbation of COPD episodes and estimating the patient’s own risk. The use of biomarkers and the measurement of their levels in conjunction with COPD exacerbation risk and disease prognosis is considered an encouraging approach. Many types of COPD biomarkers have been identified which include blood protein biomarkers, cellular biomarkers, and protease enzymes. They have been isolated from different sources including peripheral blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar fluid, exhaled air, and genetic material. However, there is still not an exclusive biomarker that is used for the evaluation of COPD but rather a combination of them, and this is attributed to disease complexity. In this review, we summarize the clinical significance of COPD-related biomarkers, their association with disease outcomes, and COPD patients’ management. Finally, we depict the various samples that are used for identifying and measuring these biomarkers.