Emerging treatments
Interventional therapies
Endobronchial coils and thermal vapor ablation are alternative options for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction. Endobronchial coils tether the airway and compress diseased lung tissue. Thermal vapor ablation involves applying steam to areas of affected lung tissue to trigger inflammation and fibrosis and therefore shrink affected lung tissue.[220] Both endobronchial coils and thermal vapor ablation have been associated with significant improvements in forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV₁) and patient-reported quality of life measures. Patients treated with either approach were more likely to experience adverse effects than those on medical care only, but there was no significant difference in mortality between treatment and control groups.[237][238] Long-term follow-up data are needed to assess whether improved outcomes are sustained.
Pharmacogenomic research
Pharmacogenomic research may be important in COPD. It is important to identify the genetic factors that determine why certain heavy smokers develop COPD and others do not. Identification of genes that predispose to the development of COPD may provide novel therapeutic targets.[239]
Club cell protein 16 augmentation
Club cell protein 16 (CC16) is mainly produced by the Club cells (formerly known as Clara cells) in the respiratory tract epithelium. CC16 has anti-inflammatory properties in smoke-exposed lungs, and COPD is associated with CC16 deficiency. Experimental augmentation of CC16 levels reduces inflammation and cellular injury, and so CC16 augmentation may be a new disease-modifying treatment for COPD.[240][241]
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