Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive deterioration of pulmonary function and irreversible airway obstruction. Investigations of the molecular pathogenesis of COPD have not yet provided complete answers to the mechanisms that determine the onset and progression of this illness. Therefore, therapeutic choices are limited and new strategies are needed to prevent, manage and treat this disorder. In particular, the application of complementary approaches, including gel- and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based proteomic techniques on sputum and/or bronchoalveolar lavage may provide a better understanding of the proteome differentially expressed by COPD patients in the course of the disease. The identification of appropriate and reliable biomarkers is, thus, an essential step for the diagnostics and treatment of these patients.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.