Underlying Disease Mechanisms and Biologics in COPD

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, current management does not alter progression of the disease. An increased understanding of the pathophysiology of COPD, particularly the eosinophilic phenotype, has shown that the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 play a critical part in the inflammatory process. IL-33 also appears to be involved in this process. The discovery of these cytokines and the role they have in T2 inflammation points to potential therapeutic targets, and predictive biomarkers for treatment response and disease progression. Three newly approved therapies for asthma that target IL-4, IL-5, and/or IL-13 (mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab) are now in trials for COPD, while iItepekimab is under investigation for both asthma and COPD. Available evidence to date shows the promise for a biologic to potentially be approved and available for the treatment of COPD in the near future. In this activity, Drs. Surya Bhatt and Nicola Hanania will engage in a dynamic discussion and walk you through a series of interactive case-based decision points to help you learn more about T2 inflammation in COPD and how to best manage these patients given currently available data.

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the pathologic evidence for T2 inflammation in COPD and potential treatment targets
• Identify available biomarkers that signal T2 inflammation in COPD and may predict disease progression or treatment response
• Review available clinical data supporting the use of targeted biologics in the management of patients with COPD
• Develop management plans for patients with COPD based on individual patient characteristics

Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM

Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any financial relationships with ineligible companies. All identified relevant financial relationships are thoroughly vetted by Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

The following faculty/planners reported the financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they have with ineligible companies related to the content of these CME activities:

Surya P. Bhatt, MD
Advisory Board: Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Regeneron, Sanofi
Consulting: Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi
Research Support: Nuvaira, Sanofi, Genentech

Nicola Alexander Hanania, MD
Consultant: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, GSK, Sanofi, Teva
Research Support: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, GSK, Novartis, Sanofi, Teva
Speaker: Sanofi

Integrity Continuing Education, Inc. planners and managers do not have any financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with ineligible companies.