Abstracto

Roflumilast for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder SA Antoniu

Sabina A Antoniu

Evaluation of: Rabe KF, Bateman ED, O\'Donnell D Witte S, Bredenbroker D, Bethke TD. Roflumilast – an oral anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 366 (9485), 563–571 (2005) [1]. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease characterized by progressive, irreversible airway obstruction and respiratory symptoms, aggravating during exacerbation and with disease progression. Available therapies for treatment of stable COPD include bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, which only relieve symptoms, prevent exacerbations, potentially improve health-related quality of life and slow disease progression. Novel anti-inflammatory therapies, such as phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, are currently under development for the treatment of COPD, and among them, roflumilast has demonstrated promising efficacy and safety in several clinical trials, including the Phase III study discussed herein.