The effects of inhaled fluticasone on airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled biopsy study.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are effective in the treatment of asthma and markedly reduce the numbers of inflammatory cells in bronchial biopsies. However, the effect of ICS on the inflammatory profile of biopsies in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. We have performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study to compare fluticasone propionate (FP) 500 microg twice daily via a dry powder inhaler and placebo (P) over a 3-month period in subjects with COPD.