A Biomarker Study to Compare Gene and Protein Expression Profiles in Four Separate Groups of Subjects Including COPD Cases (GOLD Stage 1-2 and Current Smokers With a ≥ 10 Pack Year Smoking History) and Three Control Groups of Matched Non-smoking Subjects (Never Smoked), Ex-smokers and Current Smokers, to Identify Novel Biomarkers, to Assess Standard Biomarkers of Inflammation and to Compare Inflammatory Cell Responses and Selected Markers of Inflammation in Blood, Induced Sputum and Nasal Samples.

Detailed Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common inflammatory disease of the airway affecting approximately 10% of individuals aged 40 years or more with a smoking history. The disease is characterized by an increase in numbers of airway white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes). Stimulation of white blood cells results in the release of different agents of inflammation. Some of these agents give an indication of the presence or severity of a disease when measured. This case control study will be conducted at The Heart Lung Centre, London, UK. The study aims to determine biomarkers for the differentiation of subjects with COPD (GOLD Stage 1-2 and who are current smokers with a ≥ 10 pack year smoking history) and three matched control groups: one of non-smoking subjects (never smoked), one of ex-smokers and one of current smokers. COPD subjects will be matched to the non-COPD subjects by gender, age and ethnicity. The study will include a range of physiological measurements including lung function, computerized tomography scans (CT scans), cardio pulmonary exercise test and computerized multichannel lung sounds analysis (Stethographics). In addition, lung inflammation will be assessed by cellular and molecular biomarkers using e.g. transcriptomics and proteomics technologies.

Study Details

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