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Home › Conditions › Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Part of Lung Diseases, Obstructive

Subtypes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 3 Emphysema 2

108 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

911 trials tracked for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: 400 in phase 3 or 4 and 112 with published results. The most-cited published study has 15646 citations.

911Trials tracked
400Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
112With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 130 Phase 3 270 Phase 2 181 Phase 1 55 Other / NA 275
  1. Phase 4 Phase IV O2 Consumption Study in COPD Patients. Completed · 15,646 cited
  2. Phase 3 Submassive and Massive Pulmonary Embolism Treatment With Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis Therapy Completed · 908 cited
  3. Phase 3 Reduced-dosed Rivaroxaban in the Long-term Prevention of Recurrent Symptomatic VTE(Venous Thromboembolism) Completed · 764 cited
  4. Phase 3 Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of PT010 Relative to PT003 and PT009 in Subjects With Moderate to Very Severe COPD (Ethos) Completed · 685 cited
  5. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab as an Add-on Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 587 cited
  6. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab for Frequently Exacerbating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients Completed · 587 cited
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 3 Apixaban or Dalteparin in Reducing Blood Clots in Patients With Cancer Related Venous Thromboembolism Completed · 576 cited
  2. Phase 3 Efficacy of Fixed Combination of Beclometasone + Formoterol + Glycopyrrolate Versus Foster® in COPD Completed · 423 cited
  3. Phase 3 Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial Completed · 417 cited
  4. Phase 4 Safety, Tolerability and PK of Nintedanib in Combination With Pirfenidone in IPF Completed · 296 cited
  5. Phase 3 A Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Posaconazole Versus Voriconazole for the Treatment of Invasive Aspergillosis (MK-5592-069) Completed · 273 cited
  6. Phase 4 Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of QVA149 (110/50 μg o.d.) vs Tiotropium (18 µg o.d.) + Salmeterol/Fluticasone Propionate FDC (50/500 µg b.i.d.) in Patients With Moderate to Severe COPD Completed · 261 cited
  7. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety of Nintedanib Co-administered With Sildenafil in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients With Advanced Lung Function Impairment Completed · 259 cited
  8. Phase 3 Extension Trial of the Long Term Safety of BIBF 1120 in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Completed · 239 cited
  9. Phase 3 Pivotal Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Dupilumab in Patients With Moderate to Severe COPD With Type 2 Inflammation Completed · 235 cited
  10. Phase 3 Treatment of Chronic Cough in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis With Thalidomide Completed · 204 cited
  11. Phase 3 Comparing the Efficacy of Tiotropium + Olodaterol (5/5 µg) Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) Over Tiotropium 5µg in Reducing Moderate to Severe Exacerbations in Patients With Severe to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Completed · 198 cited
  12. Phase 4 Effect of QVA149 (Indacaterol Maleate/Glycopyrronium Bromide) on Cardiac Function in COPD Patients Completed · 178 cited
  13. Phase 3 Long-term Efficacy and Safety of Aclidinium Bromide/Formoterol Fumarate Fixed-Dose Combination Completed · 174 cited
  14. Phase 3 A Study to Find Out Whether BI 1015550 Improves Lung Function in People With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Completed · 151 cited
  15. Phase 3 Open-Label Study of the Long Term Safety of Pirfenidone in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Completed · 150 cited
  16. Phase 3 Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Aclidinium Bromide/Formoterol Fumarate Compared With Aclidinium Bromide and Formoterol Fumarate in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 147 cited
  17. Phase 3 A Phase 3 Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Ensifentrine in Patients With COPD Completed · 143 cited
  18. Phase 3 A Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Ensifentrine in Patients With COPD Completed · 142 cited
  19. Phase 4 Safety and Tolerability Study of Pirfenidone in Combination With Nintedanib in Participants With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Completed · 135 cited
  20. Phase 4 Roflumilast in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients Treated With Fixed Dose Combinations of Long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) Completed · 125 cited
  21. Phase 4 An Efficacy Study of Umeclidinium/Vilanterol With Tiotropium/Olodaterol in COPD Patients Completed · 112 cited
  22. Phase 3 Mepolizumab as Add-on Treatment IN Participants With COPD Characterized by Frequent Exacerbations and Eosinophil Level Completed · 105 cited
  23. Phase 4 Effect of Nintedanib on Biomarkers of Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Limited Forced Vital Capacity Impairment Completed · 104 cited
  24. Phase 4 Study of Inhaler Device Attributes Investigating Critical and Overall Errors, Ease of Use, and Preference Between a Number of Inhaler Devices Completed · 97 cited
  25. Phase 3 Breath Analysis Technique to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism Completed · 86 cited
  26. Phase 3 tPA by Endovascular Administration for the Treatment of Submassive PE Using CDT for the Reduction of Thrombus Burden Completed · 81 cited
  27. Phase 3 Trial to Assess the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Roflumilast in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Completed · 60 cited
  28. Phase 3 Comparative Study of Fluticasone Furoate(FF)/Umeclidinium Bromide (UMEC)/ Vilanterol (VI) Closed Therapy Versus FF/VI Plus UMEC Open Therapy in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 59 cited
  29. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Effect of Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol on Survival in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Completed · 57 cited
  30. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety of PT003, PT005, and PT001 in Subjects With Moderate to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); (PINNACLE 1) Completed · 57 cited
  31. Phase 3 Multi-Center Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of PT003, PT005, and PT001 in Subjects With Moderate to Very Severe COPD (PINNACLE 2) Completed · 57 cited
  32. Phase 3 Morphine Sulfate/Placebo for the Treatment of PulmonAry Fibrosis Cough Completed · 56 cited
  33. Phase 4 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Glycopyrronium or Indacaterol Maleate and Glycopyrronium Bromide Fixed-dose Combination Regarding Symptoms and Health Status in Patients With Moderate COPD Switching From Treatment With Any Standard COPD Regimen Completed · 54 cited
  34. Phase 3 Apixaban in Preventing Secondary Cancer Related Venous Thrombosis in Cancer Patients Who Have Completed Anticoagulation Therapy Completed · 54 cited
  35. Phase 3 Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Inhalation Powder (FF/VI) Compared With Vilanterol Inhalation Powder (VI) in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 53 cited
  36. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety of Glycopyrronium/Formoterol Fumarate Fixed-dose Combination Relative to Umeclidinium/Vilanterol Fixed-dose Combination Over 24 Weeks in Patients With Moderate to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Completed · 49 cited
  37. Phase 3 Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Cross-over Study to Assess the Effects of a 3 Week Therapy Each With QVA149 Versus Placebo on Pulmonary Function and Average Physical Activity Levels in Patients With COPD. Completed · 48 cited
  38. Phase 4 A Randomized Study, Comparing Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (FF/UMEC /VI) Single Inhaler Triple Therapy, Versus Multiple Inhaler Therapy (Budesonide/Formoterol Plus Tiotropium) in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 41 cited
  39. Phase 4 A Comparative Study Between Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) Single Inhaler Triple Therapy Versus Tiotropium Monotherapy in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 40 cited
  40. Phase 3 A Randomised Effectiveness Study Comparing Fluticasone Furoate (FF, GW685698)/Vilanterol (VI, GW642444) With Standard Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Completed · 40 cited
  41. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Trial of 12 Weeks of Treatment With Nebulized SUN-101 in Patients With COPD Completed · 39 cited
  42. Phase 3 To Evaluate the Effect of Inhaled Medication Together With Exercise and Activity Training on Exercise Capacity and Daily Activities in Patients With Chronic Lung Disease With Obstruction of Airways Completed · 39 cited
  43. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Trial of 12 Weeks of Treatment With Nebulized SUN-101 in Patients With COPD (GOLDEN-4) Completed · 39 cited
  44. Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Study of QVA149 in COPD Patients Completed · 38 cited

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 911 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: current evidence & treatments

Exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial for COPD patients. A network meta-analysis of single exercise interventions (walking, cycling, respiratory muscle training, Tai Chi, etc.) involving 5,831 participants found that water-based Liuzijue was the most effective for improving FEV1%pred, with a mean difference of 9.51 (95% CI: 3.23 to 15.78) 12. Additionally, an IoT-assisted pulmonary rehabilitation protocol for moderate-to-severe stable COPD patients is being investigated, though results are pending 2. Telenursing has also been shown to reduce exacerbations and hospitalizations in COPD patients, with a twelve-month exacerbation rate of 2.1 vs. 5.8 and hospital admissions of 0.7 vs. 1.25 compared to traditional care 18.

Pharmacological and therapeutic interventions show promise. Subcutaneous astegolimab reduced moderate or severe exacerbations in phase 2b/3 trials (ALIENTO: rate ratio 0.72-1.00, p=0.049; ARNASA: similar trend) 17. A guideline proposes classifying COPD by cellular phenotype (neutrophilic, eosinophilic, etc.) to guide targeted therapies 19. Smoking cessation is critical: immediate support increased 12-month quit rates to 20.7% vs. 11.6% (p=0.019) in adults with chronic airway diseases 23. However, 14% of COPD patients decline or discontinue long-term positive airway pressure therapy, with median adherence of 6.3 hours/day among those who continue 5.

Pathophysiological insights include heightened sympathetic nerve activity in COPD patients, with MSNA burst frequency +18.5 bursts/min (95% CI 9.4-27.7) and resting heart rate +10.7 bpm compared to healthy controls 4. Genetic factors such as FAM13A variants are associated with tissue destruction in COPD 7. A meta-analysis of over 1.2 million individuals identified 514 gene-trait associations, with 36.1% undetectable in any single biobank, highlighting the value of diverse ancestries 14. Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions (yang-deficiency and qi-deficiency) are linked to worse COPD outcomes, including lower FEV1/FVC and higher smoking index 16.

Key drugs in the evidence

nintedanib 3 mepolizumab 2 dupilumab 2 amphotericin B 2 targeted therapy 1 propofol 1 vasoactives 1 alteplase 1 rivaroxaban 1 benralizumab 1

Latest findings

AI-generated synthesis of 11 cited studies, updated Jun 12, 2026. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Review of UK Biobank data identifies plasma protein mediators in cardiometabolic disease progression
Diabetes & Endocrinology
Review of UK Biobank data identifies plasma protein mediators in cardiometabolic disease progression New Blood Test Clues Could Predict Diabetes Complications Years Earlier
This observational review analyzes UK Biobank data from 53,030 participants to evaluate plasma proteins as mediators in secondary disease de…
A new blood test spots specific proteins that warn of heart, kidney, and brain problems years before they happen in people with diabetes or …
medRxiv Apr 19, 2026
Systematic review and meta-analysis of pulmonary telerehabilitation versus center-based care in COPD
Pulmonology & Critical Care Meta-analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of pulmonary telerehabilitation versus center-based care in COPD Remote Breathing Rehab Works Just as Well as In-Clinic Visits for COPD
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence on pulmonary telerehabilitation (Tele-PR) versus center-based rehabilitation (…
Remote breathing rehab matches in-clinic visits for COPD patients, offering a flexible option for those who struggle to travel for care.
Apr 18, 2026
Systematic review finds high relapse rates in pulmonary sarcoidosis across diverse study designs
Pulmonology & Critical Care Meta-analysis
Systematic review finds high relapse rates in pulmonary sarcoidosis across diverse study designs Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Relapse: 40% of Patients Face Recurrence, New Study Reveals
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of relapse in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.
About 4 in 10 people with pulmonary sarcoidosis see their disease return after treatment, with higher risks for Black patients and those wit…
medRxiv Apr 18, 2026
Multicomponent breathing and exercise program improves breathlessness mastery in moderate to severe COPD
Pulmonology & Critical Care RCT
Multicomponent breathing and exercise program improves breathlessness mastery in moderate to severe COPD New Breathing Program Helps COPD Patients Regain Control Over Daily Life
In this randomized controlled trial of 113 patients with moderate to severe COPD and disabling breathlessness, an 8-week multicomponent inte…
An 8-week coaching program helps severe COPD patients control breathlessness and reduce daily discomfort without relying only on medication.
Apr 18, 2026
Narrative review examines lung microbiome and mucosal IgA in chronic inflammatory lung diseases
Pulmonology & Critical Care Sys. Review
Narrative review examines lung microbiome and mucosal IgA in chronic inflammatory lung diseases Your Lungs Have Their Own Microbiome — and It Affects Your Immune Defenses
This narrative review explores the interplay between the lung microbiome and mucosal immunoglobulin A system in chronic inflammatory lung di…
The lung's microbiome and immune protein IgA work together to protect health, and their breakdown drives chronic lung diseases like asthma a…
Frontiers Apr 18, 2026
Adjuvanted RSV vaccine shows efficacy against RSV disease in older adults with comorbidities
Infectious Disease RCT
Adjuvanted RSV vaccine shows efficacy against RSV disease in older adults with comorbidities One RSV Shot Protects High-Risk Older Adults for Three Full Seasons
This post-hoc analysis of a phase 3 trial evaluated an adjuvanted RSVPreF3 dose in medically stable adults aged 60 and older with underlying…
One RSV shot cuts illness risk by 63% to 75% for older adults with COPD, asthma, diabetes, or obesity over three full seasons.
medRxiv Apr 18, 2026
Relaxation training and early benzodiazepines linked to respiratory recovery in adults with COPD, pneumonia, asthma, bronchiectasis, or interstitial lung disease
Rheumatology Cohort
Relaxation training and early benzodiazepines linked to respiratory recovery in adults with COPD, pneumonia, asthma, bronchiectasis, or interstitial lung disease Could early sedatives be slowing down lung recovery for adults with breathing problems?
This retrospective observational study examined 389 consecutive adults (≥ 18 years) admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pne…
Early sedatives given to adults with breathing problems may slow lung recovery, making it harder for patients to improve before leaving the …
Frontiers Apr 18, 2026
Concurrent training improves exercise capacity and quality of life in older COPD patients
Rheumatology Meta-analysis
Concurrent training improves exercise capacity and quality of life in older COPD patients Walking Farther With COPD May Come Down to One Weekly Number
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,037 older adult COPD patients found that concurrent training significantly improved 6-min walk di…
Mixing cardio and strength workouts helps people with COPD walk farther, with the best results coming from about 1,220 minutes of exercise e…
Frontiers Apr 15, 2026
Case report describes multidrug-resistant Candida tropicalis IPFD misdiagnosed as malignancy before caspofungin response
Rheumatology Sys. Review
Case report describes multidrug-resistant Candida tropicalis IPFD misdiagnosed as malignancy before caspofungin response A Lung Infection That Looked Exactly Like Cancer Returning
This case report and literature review details a single patient with invasive pulmonary fungal disease caused by multidrug-resistant Candida…
A lung infection that mimicked recurring cancer in a lymphoma survivor highlights how rare fungi can be misdiagnosed as malignancy.
Frontiers Apr 15, 2026
Subcarinal angle and biomarkers associated with mortality in ICU COPD patients
Rheumatology Cohort
Subcarinal angle and biomarkers associated with mortality in ICU COPD patients Narrower Chest Angle Means Higher Risk for COPD Patients
A retrospective cohort study of 108 COPD patients in the ICU found that narrower subcarinal angle values on chest X-rays, along with congest…
A narrower chest angle on a standard X-ray signals higher death risk for critically ill COPD patients, offering doctors a simple clue to pre…
Frontiers Apr 15, 2026
Occupational toxic particle exposure linked to increased pulmonary sarcoidosis risk in meta-analysis
Allergy & Immunology Meta-analysis
Occupational toxic particle exposure linked to increased pulmonary sarcoidosis risk in meta-analysis The Dusts and Fumes Linked to a Strange Lung Disease
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 13 studies published between 2000 and 2025 to assess occupational exposures as risk facto…
A review of 13 studies found that specific workplace dusts and chemicals are linked to sarcoidosis, a mysterious lung disease that leaves ti…
Apr 14, 2026
Systematic review examines IL-5-targeted and multi-target therapies for eosinophil-associated diseases including asthma and COPD
Oncology Sys. Review
Systematic review examines IL-5-targeted and multi-target therapies for eosinophil-associated diseases including asthma and COPD A Tricky Immune Messenger Behind Severe Asthma
This systematic review evaluated IL-5-targeted therapies, multi-target combination therapies, bispecific antibodies, and small-molecule inhi…
A protein called IL-5 fuels severe asthma, but new drugs targeting multiple immune pathways at once may finally help patients who haven't re…
Frontiers Apr 14, 2026

Questions about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Is Nintedanib now FDA approved for treating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in adults?

Yes, the FDA approved nintedanib capsules for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in adults in 2014.

Full answer →
Can genetic risk tests for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis work well for non-European people?

Genetic risk tests for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis work best for people of European ancestry, but they show limited accuracy for non-European groups because most studies have focused on European populations.

Full answer →
Is Xarelto approved for treating venous thromboembolism and preventing pulmonary embolism?

Yes, Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is FDA-approved for treating deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and for preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism.

Full answer →
What is the major bleeding rate for home treatment of cancer pulmonary embolism?

For low-risk cancer patients with pulmonary embolism, home treatment shows a major bleeding rate of about 4.6% within 3 months, based on the ONCO PE trial.

Full answer →
Does getting extra pharmaceutical care help manage my COPD better?

Yes, extra pharmaceutical care — like nurse-led telecare teams — can improve quality of life and reduce hospital visits for people with COPD.

Full answer →
Will adding balance training to my rehab improve my COPD stability?

Yes, adding balance training to pulmonary rehabilitation improves balance, confidence, and quality of life in COPD patients, based on multiple randomized trials.

Full answer →
Does using a face fan help me breathe easier during COPD flare-ups?

Yes, a face fan can help reduce shortness of breath during COPD flare-ups, based on a meta-analysis of 12 trials showing immediate relief.

Full answer →
Can a nurse and social worker telecare team improve quality of life for high-risk COPD patients?

Yes, a nurse and social worker telecare team improved quality of life, depression, and anxiety in high-risk COPD patients in a randomized trial.

Full answer →
See all 11 questions about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease →