# New approaches to uncover COPD pathobiology and develop therapies

## TL;DR

This review discusses new research on COPD's causes and therapies, aiming to improve understanding and treatment.

## Contribution

The paper summarizes recent advances in COPD research, emphasizing collaboration through the COPD-iNET consortium.

## Key findings

- COPD risk factors include genetic and epigenetic determinants interacting with the microbiome and environment.
- New technologies like single-cell transcriptomics are being used to study COPD progression.
- Biomarker research and pre-COPD diagnosis are critical for developing effective therapies.

## Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the third leading cause of global mortality in 2011 but receives limited attention and research funding. This Review describes the current knowledge on COPD risk factors, including genetic and epigenetic determinants and their interactions with the microbiome and environmental exposures. Preclinical models are being refined and single-cell transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomic technologies are being implemented to investigate the molecular mechanisms of disease progression. Patient cohorts to define biomarkers of early disease and the latest approaches to diagnose pre-COPD are essential to accelerate the development of novel and effective therapeutic interventions and translate new findings into clinical trials. This Review is a summary of topics covered by a symposium organized by the COPD-iNET consortium, an international network of researchers who have established a platform that facilitates collaboration of this multidisciplinary group of preclinical, translational, and clinical researchers.