Inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its role in cardiovascular disease and lung cancer

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by lung inflammation that persists after smoking cessation. This inflammation is heterogeneous but the key inflammatory cell types involved are macrophages, neutrophils and T cells. Other lung cells may also produce inflammatory mediators, particularly the epithelial cells. The main inflammatory mediators include tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, reactive oxygen species and proteases. COPD is also associated with systemic inflammation and there is a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (particularly coronary artery disease) and lung cancer in patients with COPD. There is strong associative evidence that the inflammatory cells/mediators in COPD are also relevant to the development of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. There are a large number of potential inhibitors of inflammation in COPD that may well have beneficial effects for these comorbidities. This is a not well-understood area and there is a requirement for more definitive clinical and mechanistic studies to define the relationship between the inflammatory process of COPD and cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.

Differential diagnosis of lung cancer, its metastasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on serum Vegf, Il-8 and MMP-9

“…These facts support our observation of significantly increased level of VEGF in metastatic than non-metastatic lung cancer patients. MMP-9 has been known to cause emphysema in COPD and angiogenesis/metastasis during lung cancer16, which supports our observation of increased serum levels of MMP-9 in COPD and lung cancer patients. However, we didn’t find significant difference between the levels of serum MMP-9 in metastatic and non-metastatic lung cancer patients.…”

“…A large variety of inflammatory mediators present in the lungs of COPD patients promote the development of lung cancer and subsequent metastasis1617. In this regard, developing suitable biomarkers for early diagnosis of lung cancer/its metastasis in COPD patients, may help for lung cancer surveillance and hence better management of the disease.…”

Actein inhibits cell proliferation and migration and promotes cell apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer cells

“…In the future, it is likely to become the world's leading cause of cancer-related deaths despite worldwide efforts to control the etiology of the disease. The identification of novel genetic biomarkers and effective therapeutic agents has been a huge step forward to understanding the tumorigenesis, diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC (16)(17)(18). However, further studies are required in order to increase the five-year survival rate for patients suffering from NSCLC.…”

Paradigms in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Phenotypes, Immunobiology, and Therapy with a Focus on Vascular Disease

“…An important feature of the COPD lung is an increased number of dead neutrophils due to necrotic cell death and a reduced ability of alveolar macrophages to perform their scavenger function. As with chronically activated macrophages, chronic neutrophil activity can lead to repeated endothelial exposure to cytotoxic agents (ie, ROS such as myeloperoxidase) and likely potentiate inflammatory changes, recurrent vasoconstriction, and cholesterol dysregulation 83. In particular, neutrophil-derived ROS can potentiate elastin degradation which has been associated with significant comorbid cardiac disease in patients with COPD 84.…”