Top 10 COPD stories of 2024

Healio Pulmonology has compiled the top news on COPD posted in 2024.

Readers were most interested in the FDA’s actions on tezepelumab (Tezspire; Amgen, AstraZeneca) and Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine; Verona Pharma) for COPD, as well as other stories on these two treatments.

A story on the link between muscle relaxant use and exacerbations in patients with COPD also made the top 5.

Here are Healio’s top 10 most-read stories on COPD from 2024.

FDA grants breakthrough designation to tezepelumab for COPD

Tezepelumab has received an FDA breakthrough therapy designation as a maintenance treatment for patients with moderate to very severe COPD characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype, according to an Amgen press release. Read more.

FDA approves Ohtuvayre as maintenance treatment for COPD

The FDA has approved the phosphodiesterase enzyme 3 and 4 inhibitor ensifentrine, now named Ohtuvayre, for treating adults with COPD, according to a manufacturer-issued press release. Read more.

Common muscle relaxants associated with increased COPD exacerbation risk

Patients with COPD using the common muscle relaxants cyclobenzaprine or methocarbamol had increased risk for COPD exacerbations at follow-up, according to data presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more.

Ensifentrine improves outcomes in COPD, but unlikely to be cost effective

When added to maintenance therapy for moderate to severe COPD, ensifentrine improves lung function and exacerbation rate vs. placebo, according to a draft evidence report by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. Also, Mike Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, senior director of patient outreach and education at the COPD Foundation, shares his Perspective. Read more.

Tezepelumab decreases exacerbation rate, improves lung function, quality of life in COPD

Among patients with moderate to very severe COPD receiving tezepelumab vs. placebo, the annualized rate of exacerbations dropped by 17%, according to research presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more.

Palliative telecare team improves quality of life in COPD, ILD

Receiving care from a palliative telecare team resulted in more improvements in quality of life than usual care among patients with COPD, interstitial lung disease or heart failure, according to study results published in JAMA. Read more.

Elevated omega-3 levels linked to better quality of life, low exacerbation odds in COPD

Respiratory-specific quality of life and exacerbation odds in former smokers with COPD may improve with elevated omega-3 levels, according to research published in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation. Also, Bonnie Patchen, PhD, RD, postdoctoral research associate in the division of nutritional sciences at Cornell University, shares her Perspective. Read more.

Online inhaler technique resources often overlook critical steps

Websites focused on inhaler technique frequently overlook important preparation steps and device care/maintenance, according to results published in Respiratory Medicine. Also, Tori Martel, MPH, public health communications manager at Allergy & Asthma Network, shares her Perspective. Read more.

Inhaled corticosteroids increasingly used for COPD outside recommended indications

From 2010 to 2018, a rising number of veterans with COPD received inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions as first-line therapy outside recommended indications, according to results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.

Dupilumab lowers exacerbations, betters lung function in COPD with type 2 inflammation

With dupilumab (Dupixent; Regeneron, Sanofi) vs. placebo, adults with moderate to severe COPD and type 2 inflammation experienced fewer exacerbations, according to research presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more.