COPD

Study Outline

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease is a lung condition that causes difficulty breathing. COPD is caused by inflammation of the lung tissue that causes obstruction of the airways similar to asthma. Symptoms of COPD include difficulty breathing especially on exertion, cough, sputum production and wheezing. It is often caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter in the air, most often related to smoking.

COPD is traditionally managed with inhaled medicines that assist with dilation (opening) of the airways (like salbutamol e.g. Ventolin™) and that reduce inflammation (like steroids).

MEDI3506 is a synthetic antibody (protein molecule) that binds specifically to another natural protein found in the body called IL-33. IL-33 is important in driving long term inflammation in the body in conditions like COPD. MEDI3506 binds to and blocks the actions of IL-33. It is anticipated that this will reduce the symptoms of COPD by reducing the long-term inflammation in the airways.