Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and heterogeneous disorder. The current treatment of COPD is restricted to the use of bronchodilators like β2 agonists and anticholinergic and anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids. This requires a significant increase in the therapeutic options available for COPD that is closely related to the widening of knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of the disease. The great interest in the development of novel drugs that can interfere with the natural history of COPD leads to the synthesis of numerous novel molecules that will target these inflammatory pathways.

Key Words: COPD – emerging therapy - anti-inflammatory - bronchodilator – cytokine – chemokine.

Background: COPD is a major global health problem. COPD is a preventable and treatable disease. This, in part, reflects a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of COPD and the development of novel therapies that can improve the health outcomes of COPD patients.