Being exposed to second hand smoke, also known as passive smoking - non-smokers breathing in smoke from lit cigarettes around them - may significantly increase the long-term risk of developing lung disease, such as lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), according to a report published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The same applies to casual (occasional) smoking. This is the first study to demonstrate what passive or occasional smoking does to the body at a gene function level, say the authors. Study author, Dr…

Being exposed to second hand smoke, also known as passive smoking - non-smokers breathing in smoke from lit cigarettes around them - may significantly increase the long-term risk of developing lung disease, such as lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), according to a report published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The same applies to casual (occasional) smoking. This is the first study to demonstrate what passive or occasional smoking does to the body at a gene function level, say the authors. Study author, Dr…

The following statement is in response to the research being released by the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network (NEoLCIN) around variations in place of death in England. Dame Helena Shovelton, BLF Chief Executive said “The findings of this research show the total lack of end of life care available to patients with respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) compared to patients with cancer. Our research has shown that 1 in 5 people with a terminal lung disease has not had a conversation about end of life care options, but wanted to…

The following statement is in response to the research being released by the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network (NEoLCIN) around variations in place of death in England. Dame Helena Shovelton, BLF Chief Executive said “The findings of this research show the total lack of end of life care available to patients with respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) compared to patients with cancer. Our research has shown that 1 in 5 people with a terminal lung disease has not had a conversation about end of life care options, but wanted to…

Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. announced that it has acquired RespiVert Ltd., a privately held drug discovery company focused on developing small-molecule, inhaled therapies for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. The company’s lead compounds, RV-568 and RV-1088, narrow spectrum kinase inhibitors with a unique profile of anti-inflammatory activities, are progressing into clinical development as potential first-in-class treatments for moderate to severe asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF)…

A study presented today at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference in New Orleans by leading charity, Education for Health (EFH), shows that the economic toll of COPD is set to soar1 as the disease heads towards being the third biggest cause of death globally by 20202. The international and expert-led survey is the first of its kind detailing the impact of COPD on a working-age population and highlights an urgent need to keep individuals with COPD active and contributing to society for the benefit of all1…

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) and Almirall, S.A. (ALM.MC) today announced that they are presenting data from several studies of two investigational inhaled respiratory compounds at the annual American Thoracic Society International Conference taking place in New Orleans May 14-19, 2010. Data on aclidinium bromide, an inhaled muscarinic antagonist, which is in Phase III development for COPD, and LAS100977, a long-acting beta 2-agonist, in Phase II development for asthma, will be presented in 11 separate posters…

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) and Nycomed announced that they will present data from six roflumilast posters during the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference being held in New Orleans, LA, May 14 through May 19, 2010. Roflumilast is an investigational anti-inflammatory, oral medication for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis in patients at risk of exacerbations. Included in the poster presentations are additional results from the 12-month and 6-month roflumilast studies previously published in The Lancet…

Heart Attack Risk Doubles After COPD Exacerbation Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience an exacerbation have an increased risk for both myocardial infarctions (MI) and ischemic stroke. Researchers from the United Kingdom analyzed the risk of MI or stroke after exacerbation of COPD in 25,857 patients with the disease. Among the patients, 524 MI were identified in 426 patients and 633 ischemic strokes in 482 patients…

With a goal of creating jobs and enhancing chronic disease studies, the federal government is awarding a $9.7 million grant of stimulus funds to the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed) for the construction of a new Chronic Disease Clinical Research Center on its campus, David I. Meyer, PhD, the institute’s president and CEO, have announced…