New hope in the fight against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A vaccine to protect people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a step closer.

Scientists at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with GSK, have developed and tested a novel vaccine against Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), an important trigger of COPD exacerbations.

In a Phase II placebo-controlled clinical trial, the vaccine effectively generated a type of immune response, known as a CD4+ T cell response.

The results, published in the journal Vaccine, also showed a lower number of exacerbations in the vaccinated group.

The trial was run in adults aged between 40 and 80 years old, with moderate or severe COPD and was the first time such a study has been conducted.

COPD is a debilitating condition that causes more than three million deaths around the world every year. Exacerbations of COPD can come on very quickly and can be very harmful.

Professor Tom Wilkinson, who led the study, said: “These are really exciting results as it shows we are moving in the right direction."

“These latest results now pave the way for further work to assess whether the vaccine against NTHi could prevent COPD exacerbations and have a positive impact on COPD symptoms and long-term outcomes for patients."