COPD Novel Drug Flashcards
In asthma, what causes narrowing of the airways?
Bronchoconstriction and mucus hypersecretion forming a plug
How is the site affected different in asthma and COPD?
Asthma affects just the airways
COPD affects lung and airways
Which portion of the airways does chronic bronchitis, small airways disease and emphysema affect?
CB: Large(bronchi)
SAD: Bronchioles
Emphysema: Alveoli
Why does a lung scan involve:
a) lung function?
b) Bronchoalveolar lavage?
c) High resolution CT scanning?
a) To monitor effectiveness of drug
b)To gather data about the presence/activity of cytokines, cells, molecules in the airways
c)To see the structure of the lungs and whether they’re degrading/changing
What are the changes in epithelial cell profile and secretions during chronic bronchitis?
Epithelial cells become hyperperfused and mucus secretions go crazy
Why do the small airways become obstructed, stenosed and collapse in COPD?
Fibrosis in surrounding tissue along with mucus hypersecretions
What happens to the structure of the lung during emphysema?
Removal of definitive borders, is obliterated
Why might a protease inhibitor help treat COPD?
Will stop mucus hypersecretions and inhibit alveolar destruction
What is a dual inhibitor?
A drug which has the inhibitory capacity of both aAT and TIMPs, allowing the targeting of more proteases to further decrease the symptoms of COPD.
Why don’t endogenous inhibitors work for COPD?
They don’t target all of the proteases that constitute the effects of COPD
Why might a dual inhibitor not be greatly effective?
CD8-T cells and fibroblasts still cause alveolar destruction and small airway disease whilst not being targeted by antiproteases
What might cause problems with the efficacy of inhaled therapy? Could this be problem be solved?
Drugs will only reach the airspaces, if person has poor ventilation then inhaled drugs will be less effective.
IV, oral, other methods of delivery
Would a COPD patient feel better with a bronchodilator?
No, the mucus hypersecretions are the main cause of dyspnea so a bronchodilator would have little effect.
