LONDON (Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC Monday presented data at the European Respiratory Society Congress that show blood eosinophil levels could help predict which patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will have a greater reduction in exacerbation rates when being treated with an inhaled corticosteroid regimen.
The data, if supported by further studies, could potentially be used to help physicians tailor their treatment decisions, Glaxo said.
The studies were undertaken as part of the development of Glaxo's fluticasone furoate/vilanterol and umeclidinium/vilanterol combination treatments.
Eosinophil is a type of white blood cell, which is primarily associated with asthma, but may also influence and be associated with an increased risk of exacerbation rates in patients with COPD.
Results from the first study showed that eosinophil levels in the blood might be able to be used to predict improvement in exacerbation rates in patients taking Relvar Ellipta compared to Ellipta alone.
However, results from the second study suggested that blood eosinophil levels could not be used as a predictor of response to bronchodilators in COPD. A bronchodilator is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airways and increasing airflow into the lungs.
"These data, and those from other studies, are very valuable and support our belief that these circulating white blood cells could play an important role in guiding effective COPD management," said Neil Barnes, Global Franchise Medical Head of Respiratory at Glaxo in a statement. "We believe it is important that further work, including prospective studies, is undertaken to generate more evidence about the promising role of blood eosinophil levels as an indicator of response to an ICS-containing regimen.?
Shares in Glaxo were trading 1.4% lower at 1,427.50 pence per share Monday afternoon.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; hanassmith@alliancenews.com; @HanaSSAllNews
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