Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common respiratory disorder of adults in the developed world and is the fourth main cause of death in the USA. It is also associated with high morbidity, and poses an enormous burden of suffering and expense. Despite this, the disease has received little attention compared with other respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer.

Current treatment can offer some marginal symptomatic relief but does not address the underlying disease process. Indeed, smoking cessation is the only intervention known to alter the rate of disease progression. There is clearly great need, and potential, for the development of superior therapies for symptomatic relief and disease modification. This book brings together leading researchers and physicians to discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of COPD, and draws together basic and clinical aspects relevant to the topic. Coverage includes the basic pathology, current and potential therapies, and detailed consideration of the major theories for the pathogenesis of COPD.Bei chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenerkrankungen, auch COPD genannt, handelt es sich um eine fortschreitende Strömungsbehinderung in den Luftwegen. COPD deckt ein ganzes Spektrum von häufig vorkommenden Atemwegserkrankungen ab, die unbehandelt tödlich verlaufen. Im Vergleich zu anderen Atemwegserkrankungen wie z.B. Asthma und Lungenkrebs, wurde der COPD bislang nur wenig Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt. Die gegenwärtigen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten bieten zwar eine gewisse symptomatische Erleichterung, aber zielen nicht auf die Ursachen der Erkrankung. Deshalb steht die Entwicklung von besseren Therapien zur symptomatischen Erleichterung und zur Veränderung des Krankheitsbildes an oberster Stelle. Dieser Band analysiert und diskutiert die jüngsten Fortschritte bei der Erforschung der COPD und erläutert grundlegende und klinische Aspekte. Darüber hinaus gibt er einen Überblick über vielversprechende neue Forschungsansätze und bietet damit eine unverzichtbare Lektüre für jeden Fachmann auf diesem Gebiet. Overview of the pathology/pathogenesis
Overview of current therapies
Genetics
Mucus hypersecretion in COPD
Mechanisms of exacerbation
Epithelial and mesenchymal cells
Macrophage control of inflammation: negative pathways of regulation of inflammatory cytokines
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Oxidants/antioxidants
Proteases and anti-proteases -
I
Proteases and anti-proteases -
II
Alveolus formation: critical period, plasticity and retinoid regulation
Systemic effects of COPD
Potential novel therapies for COPD

"The panel of speakers included some of the most distinguished scientists and physicians working in the field of COPD." (Biochemie, No. 83, 2001)

Derek J. Chadwick and Jamie A. Goode are editors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Pathogenesis to Treatment and other scientific titles.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common respiratory disorder of adults in the developed world and is the fourth main cause of death in the USA. It is also associated with high morbidity, and poses an enormous burden of suffering and expense. Despite this, the disease has received little attention compared with other respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer.

Current treatment can offer some marginal symptomatic relief but does not address the underlying disease process. Indeed, smoking cessation is the only intervention known to alter the rate of disease progression. There is clearly great need, and potential, for the development of superior therapies for symptomatic relief and disease modification. This book brings together leading researchers and physicians to discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of COPD, and draws together basic and clinical aspects relevant to the topic. Coverage includes the basic pathology, current and potential therapies, and detailed consideration of the major theories for the pathogenesis of COPD.