COPD Gene Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity/mortality worldwide. With a cohort of over 10,000 individuals, the COPDGene^® Study is one of the largest studies to ever document the unique patterns of progression of COPD, its subtypes, and the epidemiologic, genetic and omic factors involved. The COPDGene^® Study is looking for answers to why some smokers develop progressive disease and others do not. While it has been demonstrated that cigarette smoking can cause COPD, only a minority of smokers develop this debilitating disease thus raising the question of genetic susceptibility. Through longitudinal follow-up, the COPDGene^® Study aims to define inherited or genetic factors that make some people more likely than others to develop COPD and determine how environmental and demographic factors interact with genetics. Through Phase 3 of COPDGene, over 40,000 chest CT scans have been obtained on subjects with or at risk for COPD. These imaging studies are enabling COPDGene^® to better classify COPD and define how disease expression and progression differs from person to person. A major long-term goal of COPDGene^® is to enable development of new therapies to prevent or control this disease.