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COPD-Chronic Pulmonary Disease Samples

by | Feb 25, 2022 | News Releases | 0 comments

Bay Biosciences provides high-quality biopsy tissue samples, formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks, with matched fresh frozen sera (serum), plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bio-fluids, from patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluid specimens are processed from patients peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Fresh frozen tissue and matched biofluid samples were, collected from unique patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Bio-samples are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery, and drug development.


Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Overview

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs, in which the airways become blocked, causing cough with mucus, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

COPD is primarily an umbrella term for two conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients with COPD may have one or both of these issues, and the severity of each varies from person to person.

Emphysema damages the air sacs of the lungs. The lungs lose their elasticity and are no longer able to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently, as a result.

Chronic bronchitis involves inflammation of the lining of the airways. This results in increased production and thickening of mucus. Bronchitis becomes chronic when it persists and resists treatment.

Asthma symptoms may be part of COPD, and a history of asthma can increase the risk of developing the condition. Asthma causes inflammation of the airways, which spasm and overreact to inhaled substances.

COPD is a lifelong issue involving irreversible damage to the lungs and worsening difficulty breathing and airway obstruction. A person with advanced COPD may be unable to climb the stairs or cook. They may need medications and supplementary oxygen.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating lung condition that affects 1 in 8 Americans age 45 and older. More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more have it but don’t know it.

It’s characterized by increasing breathlessness, with symptoms developing slowly. Though there’s currently no cure for COPD, it’s often preventable and treatable. The most common cause is smoking.

More than 65 million people around the world have moderate or severe COPD, and experts predict that this number will continue to rise worldwide over the next 50 years.

With proper management, however, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduce their risk of other associated diseases including heart disease and lung cancer.

Statistics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

According to the world health organization (WHO) COPD is the is the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23 million deaths in 2019. In the United States over 16 million Americans have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Millions more have it and don’t know about it.

Majority of COPD patients are smokers or former smokers. Smoking is the most important risk factor that can be changed. Most people with COPD are 40 years of age or older.

Up to 5% of patients with COPD the cause is a genetic disorder involving a deficiency of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency,

COPD is a leading cause of hospitalizations in industrialized countries. In the United States, COPD is responsible for a large amount of emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

More women than men die from COPD each year in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.

It’s projected that the number of patients diagnosed with COPD will increase by more than 150 % from 2010 to 2030. Much of that can be attributed to an aging population.


Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD causes some or all of the following signs and symptoms:

A COPD patient with severe symptoms may also have:

  • A rapid heartbeat
  • Bluish tint to the lips or fingernail beds
  • Reduced mental alertness
  • Shortness of breath while talking

Anyone with any severe symptoms of COPD should receive immediate medical care.

As COPD progresses, there may be swelling in the legs and feet. Low oxygen levels in your bloodstream may result in gray or blue discoloration of your lips and fingernails. You may also experience increased weight loss.

If symptoms are mild, a person may not realize that they have COPD. Almost 6.4% of the U.S. population have diagnosed COPD, but its actual prevalence may be far more extensive.


Types of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

There are two main types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD):


Chronic Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the air pathways to the lungs. Almost 9 million patients are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis in the United States and nearly 75 percent of cases involved people over the age of 45.

Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It’s characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.

In the United States, women have chronic bronchitis at almost double the rate of men. In 2016, 5.9 million women had been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis in the past 12 months, as opposed to 3 million men who had been diagnosed during this time.

There are some differences among races, too. Figures also showed that non-Hispanic white people and Black people were more likely to have been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis.


Emphysema

Emphysema causes damage to the alveoli, the air sacs in your lungs. The walls of the damaged air sacs become stretched out and your lungs actually get bigger, making it harder to move your air in and out.

About 3.5 million patients in the United States have been diagnosed with emphysema, with more than 90 percent of cases involving people over age 45.

Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter.


Stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

One measure of COPD is achieved by spirometry grading.

There are different grading systems, and one grading system is part of the GOLD classification. The GOLD classification is used for determining COPD severity and helping to form a prognosis and treatment plan.

There are four GOLD grades based on spirometry testing:

  • COPD Grade 1: mild
  • Grade 2: moderate
  • COPD Grade 3: severe
  • Grade 4: very severe

This is based on the spirometry test result of your FEV1. This is the amount of air you can breathe out of the lungs in the first second of a forced expiration. The severity increases as your FEV1 decreases.

The GOLD classification also takes into account your individual symptoms and history of acute exacerbations. Based on this information, your doctor can assign a letter group to you to help define your COPD grade.

As the disease progresses, you’re more susceptible to complications, such as:


Causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Majority of the COPD cases are caused by smoking. However, only one in five smokers will get significant COPD.

Most patients with COPD are at least 40 years old and have at least some history of smoking. The longer and more tobacco products you smoke, the greater your risk of COPD is.

In addition to cigarette smoke, cigar smoke, pipe smoke, and secondhand smoke can cause COPD. Your risk of COPD is even greater if you have asthma and smoke.

COPD can also occur in those who’ve had long-term exposure and contact with harmful pollutants in their workplace. Some of these harmful lung irritants include certain chemicals, dust, or fumes. Another cause is exposure to chemical fumes.

Heavy or long-term contact with secondhand smoke or other lung irritants in the home, such as organic cooking fuel, may also cause COPD.

In developing countries, along with tobacco smoke, homes are often poorly ventilated, forcing families to breathe fumes from burning fuel used for cooking and heating.

Rarely, it’s caused by something called alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. It’s a genetic condition that causes low levels of the AAT protein, which helps to protect the lungs. It’s the cause of about 1 percent of COPD cases. Genetics, air pollution, and recurrent respiratory infections may be contributing factors.


Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In the U.S., as many as 75% of the patients with COPD smoke or once did. Beyond smoking, COPD risk factors include:

  •  A family history of COPD
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Asthma
  • Exposure to other air pollutants and toxins, at home or in the workplace, for example
  • Genetic factors, which may lead to a deficiency of the protective protein alpha-1 antitrypsin

If COPD develops before the age of 40, there is usually an underlying health issue, such as an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Asthma can increase the risk of COPD because it inflames and narrows the airways. However, treatment can usually reverse any damage resulting from asthma.


Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Various conditions can cause coughing and breathing problems. If a person has COPD, these symptoms persist and worsen over time.

To diagnose COPD a doctor will check for the following:

  • Physical examination using a stethoscope to listen to the person’s breathing
  • Patients personal and family medical histories
  • History of smoking and exposure to other pollutants 


Diagnostic Tests

  • In addition doctors will performs or requests the following diagnostic tests:

    • A Pulmonary function Tests (PFT)
    • Spirometry is a noninvasive test to assess lung function. During the test, you’ll take a deep breath and then blow into a tube connected to the spirometer.
    • An arterial blood test to measure the oxygen levels in the blood.
    • Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or CT scan.

One lung function test, spirometry, measures the amount and speed of airflow during a short breath. The person blows hard into a tube attached to a device called spirometer, which gives the reading.

Arterial blood gas test involves taking a blood sample from an artery to measure your blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other important levels.

This and similar tests can help rule out other conditions or indicate COPD.

The doctor will also use the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines to assess COPD symptoms and the risk of them worsening.

These tests can help determine if you have COPD or a different condition, such as asthma, a restrictive lung disease, or heart failure.

Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

There is no cure for COPD. Treatment involves managing and easing the symptoms to improve the quality of life, reduce the risk of complications, and slow the progression of the health issues involved.

Air Pollution Avoidance

Patients with COPD  should avoid exposure to air pollutants.

This may involve the following measures:

  • Asking others not to smoke nearby
  • Avoiding places where people are spraying paint or insect repellant
  • Staying home with the windows closed when air pollution levels are high
  • Wearing protective gear, such as a mask, when working in a dusty environment
  • Avoiding open fires


Drug Treatments

Medications can help manage COPD symptoms, reduce flare ups and prevent complications. It may take some trial and error to find the right medication and dosage that works best for the patient, 

To help ease breathing, a doctor may prescribe an inhaler that contains a number of drugs. For example, to relax the muscles around the airways and make breathing easier, an inhaler may contain a medication called a bronchodilator.

An inhaler may also contain a glucocorticoid, a type of corticosteroid that can reduce inflammation in the airways.

Some inhalers are for short-term use. They act quickly and are effective for a few hours. They can make breathing easier during a COPD flare-up. Others are for long-term, daily use.

During follow-up visits, the doctor may adjust the medication regimen to help control worsening symptoms and flare-ups.

They may also recommend antibiotics to manage any acute bacterial infection that develops, as well as vaccination to ward off the flu and pneumonia.

A person with COPD who has effective inhaled treatment may still experience reoccurring flare-ups that require hospital care.

In this case, the doctor may recommend the oral anti-inflammatory medication roflumilast (Daliresp) or the oral antibiotic azithromycin (Zithromax) to reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

Doctors largely base their choice of drugs on anticipated side effects, as researchers have yet to directly compare the efficacy of the two medications.

Antibiotics and Antivirals

Antibiotics or antivirals may be prescribed when you develop certain respiratory infections.

Corticosteroids

Long-acting bronchodilators are commonly combined with inhaled glucocorticosteroids. A glucocorticosteroid can reduce inflammation in the airways and lower mucus production.

The long-acting bronchodilator can relax the airway muscle to help the airways stay wider. Corticosteroids are also available in pill form.

Inhaled Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are medicines that help loosen up tight muscles in the airways. These drugs are usually taken through an inhaler or nebulizer.

Short-acting bronchodilators last from 4 to 6 hours, these are only used when necessary. For ongoing symptoms, there are long-acting versions you can be used every day, these lasts about 12 hours.

For patients with COPD who experience shortness of breath or trouble breathing during exercise, the American Thoracic Society strongly recommends a long-acting-beta-agonist (LABA) combined with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA).

These bronchodilators work by relaxing tightened muscles in the airways, which widens your airways for better air passage. They also help your body clear mucus from the lungs. These two types of bronchodilators can be taken in combination by inhaler or with a nebulizer.

Following is  a list of recommended LABA/LAMA bronchodilator therapies:

  • Aclidinium/formoterol
  • Glycopyrrolate/formoterol
  • Tiotropium/olodaterol
  • Umeclidinium/vilanterol

 

Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors

These type of medications can be taken in pill form to help reduce inflammation and relax the airways. It’s generally prescribed for severe COPD with chronic bronchitis.

Theophylline

This medication eases chest tightness and shortness of breath. It may also help prevent flare-ups. It’s available in pill form.

Theophylline is an older medication that relaxes the muscle of the airways, and it may cause side effects. It’s generally not a first-line treatment for COPD therapy.

Vaccines

To lower risk of other respiratory infections, ask your doctor if you should get a yearly flu shot, pneumococcal vaccine, and a tetanus booster that includes protection from pertussis (whooping cough).

Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Several different measures can help reduce the impact and progression of COPD.

Breathing Exercises

These can counter breathlessness, and some examples include pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, or belly breathing.


Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation helps  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients increase their activity levels and improve quality of life.

Doctors typically draws up a plan for their COPD patients , which may involve the following:

  • Attending counseling to help manage any anxiety and depression
  • Boosting exercise tolerance
  • Conserve energy and reduce breathlessness
  • Doing breathing exercises 
  • Learning about the lungs
  • Making dietary changes
  • Using medication most effectively


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires lifelong disease management. That means following the advice of your healthcare team and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Since the lungs get weakened because of COPD, patients should avoid anything that might exacerbate the situation or cause a flare-up. Here’s a list of things to consider as you adjust your lifestyle.

  • Avoid smoking: If you’re having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs. Try to avoid secondhand smoke, chemical fumes, air pollution, and dust. 
  • Be prepared for flare-ups: Carry your emergency contact information with you and post it on your refrigerator. Include information about what medications you take, as well as the doses. Program emergency numbers into your phone.
  • Exercise and work out: A little exercise each day can help you stay strong. Talk to your doctor about how much exercise is good for you.
  • Find support. It can be a relief to talk to others who understand. Consider joining a support group. The COPD Foundation provides a comprehensive list of organizations and resources for people living with COPD.
  • Eat a diet of nutritious foods: Avoid highly processed foods that are loaded with calories and salt, but lack nutrients.
  • Treating other conditions: If you have other chronic diseases along with COPD, it’s important to manage those as well, particularly diabetes mellitus and heart disease.
  • Keep your home clean: Clear the clutter and streamline your home so that it takes less energy to clean and do other household tasks. If you have advanced COPD, get help with daily chores.

 

Complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are most likely to experience the following complications:

 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Lung cancer

COPD and lung cancer are linked in a number of ways. These two diseases are a major health problems around the world. 

Smoking is the primary risk factor for both diseases. Both are more likely if you breathe secondhand smoke, or are exposed to chemicals or other fumes in the workplace. COPD and lung cancer have many similar and common risk factors.

There may be a genetic predisposition to developing both diseases. Also, the risk of developing either COPD or lung cancer increases with age.

According to a study, COPD prevalence is increased in lung cancer patients, independent of age, sex and smoking history. It is estimated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common comorbid disease in lung cancer, estimated to affect 40-70% of lung cancer patients, depending on diagnostic criteria.

Another study suggests they may actually be different aspects of the same disease, and that COPD could be a driving factor in lung cancer.

In some cases, people don’t know they have COPD until they’re diagnosed with lung cancer.

However, having COPD doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get lung cancer. It does mean that you have a higher risk. That’s another reason why, if you smoke, quitting is a good idea.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Other Health Problems (Comorbidities)

Comorbid conditions seem to be more common in patients with COPD than in patients with other medical problems. These conditions may include the following:


One reason for these additional problems may relate to the lung inflammation that occurs in patients with COPD. Patients with COPD have inflammation in their lungs, as well as some inflammation in their blood. Many experts believe that this blood inflammation can cause some damage to the heart, muscles, and bones of patients with COPD.

 

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Our biobank procures and stores fully consented, deidentified and institutional review boards (IRB) approved human tissue samples and matched controls.

All our human tissue collections, human specimens and human bio-fluids are provided with detailed, samples associated patient’s clinical data.

This critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers, and genetic information.

Patient’s data is extremely valuable for researchers and is used to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, and other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences banks wide variety of human tissue samples and biological samples, including cryogenically preserved at – 80°C.

Including fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood-derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC.

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Bay Biosciences also provides human samples from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, contact us Now.

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