Expert Consensus on Immunomodulatory Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

China has attached importance to the prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , a major chronic respiratory disease. An in-depth discussion of the immunopathogenesis of COPD and intervening the identified key targets may be new ideas for the prevention and treatment of COPD. Based on the relevant evidence of commonly used immunomodulatory agents for COPD, and the status and trend of development of immunomodulators for COPD, the Writing Group for the Expert Consensus of Immunemodulatory Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease proposed the following four recommendations for treating COPD with immunomodulatory therapies: (1) bacterial lysates, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, macrolides and other biological and chemical agents have immunomodulatory efects on COPD by enhancing immune function and immune cell activity; (2) vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection could reduce the probability of acute exacerbation of COPD and mortality; (3) statins and vitamin D may be partially effective in COPD owing to their immunomodulatory actions, but need to be verified further due to quite insufficient relevant evidence and reported adverse reactions; (4) Chinese medicine compound and Cordyceps preparations may improve the quality of life and reduce the probability of acute exacerbationsin patients with stable COPD by regulating immune function and improving immune cell activity.The main purpose of this consensus is to greatly promote the clinical treatment of COPD using immunomodulatory therapies in China.

Keywords

• pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive|chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|immunomodulation|molecular mechanisms of pharmacological action|expert consensus