How might endotyping guide chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment? Current understanding, knowledge gaps and future research needs

Purpose of review: This review discusses emerging therapies directed at chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) endotypes and pathobiological processes that manifest as the disease.

Recent findings: Specific endotypes have been targeted in COPD. These include eosinophilic inflammation, overproduction of interleukin-17, chronic bronchitis and altered nature of mucous, and chronic infection. Therapies exactly directed at the cause of these endotypes or their resultant clinical findings have been assessed. Although some intermediate outcomes have seemed promising, there have been no findings that shift the paradigm of COPD therapy.

Summary: Basic and clinical scientists continue to define endotypes that may be directly addressed with therapeutics. As of the time of this up-to-date review, there is yet to be an endotype-directed therapy to demonstrate great clinical effect.