Abstract
Immunomodulatory effects of statins in vitro and in experimental models of asthma and COPD could potentially be relevant to the treatment of chronic airway diseases. This article provides an overview of the evidence from the key clinical studies on the effects of statins on clinical outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers in asthma and COPD. Future directions for clinical studies of statins in asthma and COPD are discussed. A small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with mild to moderate asthma suggest that short-term statin treatment does not improve lung function or symptom control, except for a possible improvement in quality of life and symptoms in smokers with asthma. Several observation studies report that statin use in asthma is associated with a reduced risk of asthma-related emergency department visits, oral corticosteroid dispensing or hospital admissions. Statins treatment in asthma may have modest local anti-inflammatory effects in the airways. There is a need for a large RCT examining the effects of statins on reducing exacerbations, particularly in severe asthma. In COPD, observational studies suggest that statin use is associated with reduced morbidity and/or mortality, whereas a large RCT concluded that simvastatin did not reduce exacerbations in patients with COPD that had no cardiovascular indication for statin treatment. It is possible that a subgroup of COPD patients with cardiovascular indications for statins and/or systemic inflammation may obtain clinical benefit from statin treatment. Understanding the immunomodulatory effects of statins in asthma and COPD may lead to the development of novel targeted interventions.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, asthma, clinical trials, COPD, exacerbations, immunomodulation, statin.
Graphical Abstract
Current Molecular Pharmacology
Title:Clinical Studies of Statins in Asthma and COPD
Volume: 10
Author(s): Neil C. Thomson
Affiliation:
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, asthma, clinical trials, COPD, exacerbations, immunomodulation, statin.
Abstract: Immunomodulatory effects of statins in vitro and in experimental models of asthma and COPD could potentially be relevant to the treatment of chronic airway diseases. This article provides an overview of the evidence from the key clinical studies on the effects of statins on clinical outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers in asthma and COPD. Future directions for clinical studies of statins in asthma and COPD are discussed. A small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with mild to moderate asthma suggest that short-term statin treatment does not improve lung function or symptom control, except for a possible improvement in quality of life and symptoms in smokers with asthma. Several observation studies report that statin use in asthma is associated with a reduced risk of asthma-related emergency department visits, oral corticosteroid dispensing or hospital admissions. Statins treatment in asthma may have modest local anti-inflammatory effects in the airways. There is a need for a large RCT examining the effects of statins on reducing exacerbations, particularly in severe asthma. In COPD, observational studies suggest that statin use is associated with reduced morbidity and/or mortality, whereas a large RCT concluded that simvastatin did not reduce exacerbations in patients with COPD that had no cardiovascular indication for statin treatment. It is possible that a subgroup of COPD patients with cardiovascular indications for statins and/or systemic inflammation may obtain clinical benefit from statin treatment. Understanding the immunomodulatory effects of statins in asthma and COPD may lead to the development of novel targeted interventions.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Thomson C. Neil, Clinical Studies of Statins in Asthma and COPD, Current Molecular Pharmacology 2017; 10 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874467209666160112125911
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874467209666160112125911 |
Print ISSN 1874-4672 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1874-4702 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Optimisation of DMPK by the Inhaled Route: Challenges and Approaches
Current Drug Metabolism Clinical Implications of COX-1 and / or COX-2 Inhibition for the Distal Gastrointestinal Tract
Current Pharmaceutical Design Protective Effect of NSAIDs on Cancer and Influence of COX-2 C G Genotype
Current Cancer Drug Targets HLA-G - From Fetal Tolerance to a Regulatory Molecule in Inflammatory Diseases
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) The Role of the Methoxyphenol Apocynin, a Vascular NADPH Oxidase Inhibitor, as a Chemopreventative Agent in the Potential Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Vascular Pharmacology Fulminant Somatization: Medical Investigation in Trauma Survivors
Adolescent Psychiatry Anti-Oxidant
Current Bioactive Compounds Peptides Targeting Toll-Like Receptor Signalling Pathways for Novel Immune Therapeutics
Current Pharmaceutical Design The use of Immunoglobulin Therapy in Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Treasures Hunt in Old Mines: Terminalia chebula-Based Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products
The Natural Products Journal Medherb: An Interactive Bioinformatics Database and Analysis Resource for Medicinally Important Herbs
Current Bioinformatics Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Vascular Inflammation and its Related Signaling Pathways
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Intestinal Dysbiosis, Gut Hyperpermeability and Bacterial Translocation: Missing Links Between Depression, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Appropriate Use of Antibiotics for the Management of Respiratory Tract Infections
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets The Scientific Rationale of Combining Inhaled Glucocorticoids and Long Acting Beta 2 Adrenoceptor Agonists
Current Pharmaceutical Design Causes of Secretion Retention: Patient Factors, Ventilation, Devices, Drugs
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Preface
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents Atrial Fibrillation with a Focus on Oral Antiarrhythmic Therapy
Current Drug Therapy A Novel Oral Glutarimide Derivative XC8 Suppresses Sephadex-Induced Lung Inflammation in Rats and Ovalbumin-induced Acute and Chronic Asthma in Guinea Pigs
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology A PHACES Syndrome Unmasked by Propranolol Interruption in a Tetralogy of Fallot Patient: Case Report and Extensive Review on New Indications of Beta Blockers
Current Medicinal Chemistry