Obstructive lung disease is a subset of disorders such as COPD and asthma that decrease pulmonary function in adults and children alike. The etiologies for each of these diseases is different; however, on a molecular level, the inflammatory immune response appears to be the most critical component. Novel treatments for eosinophilic asthma include treatment with IL-5, while the neutrophilic asthma has been treated with anti-neutrophilic methods, however anti-neutrophilic interventions have not been successfully completed. COPD, however, appears to resistant to anti-inflammatory treatment with corticosteroids, thus future work should target another mechanism. Since resolving the inflammation and continuing damage to the lungs is a major hurdle in the treatment of COPD, some researchers are exploring the options of anti-fibrotic agents and stem cell therapies to halt the fibrosis and possibly repair the damaged alveoli.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27922751

Mike Obregon

Nelson Nwumeh

Norah Oles

Nereyda Ochoa