What have transgenic and knockout animals taught us about respiratory disease?

Over the past decade there has been a significant shift to the use of murine models for investigations into the molecular basis of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These models offer the exciting prospect of dissecting the complex interaction between cytokines, chemokines and growth related peptides in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, the receptors and the intracellular signalling pathways that are subsequently activated are amenable for study because of the availability of monoclonal antibodies and techniques for targeted gene disruption and gene incorporation for individual mediators, receptors and proteins. However, it is clear that extrapolation from these models to the human condition is not straightforward, as reflected by some recent clinical disappointments. This is not necessarily a problem with the use of mice itself, but results from our continued ignorance of the disease process and how to improve the modelling of complex interactions between different inflammatory mediators that underlie clinical pathology. This review highlights some of the strengths and weaknesses of murine models of respiratory disease

An update and appraisal of the cilomilast Phase III clinical development programme for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Cilomilast (Ariflo™, SB 207499) is an orally active, second-generation phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitor that is being developed by GlaxoSmithkline for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results of Phase I and Phase II studies have demonstrated that cilomilast significantly improves lung function and quality of life to a clinically meaningful extent, which has led to a comprehensive Phase III programme of research evaluating efficacy, safety and mechanism of action. However, the results of those Phase III studies are unremarkable and disappointing, raising doubt over the future of cilomilast as a novel therapy for COPD. This review summarizes data obtained from the Phase III clinical development programme, highlights some of the potential concerns both specific to cilomilast and to PDE4 inhibitors in general and assesses the likelihood that cilomilast will reach the market