Results in animals suggest that an inhaled drug can prevent destruction of lung tissue caused by smoking.

In emphysema, a lung condition mainly caused by smoking, the lung tissue is destroyed by enzymes called proteases. In a healthy lung, these proteases are present at only a low level - but smoking increases their concentration drastically.

Drugs called protease inhibitors can block the action of these enzymes. Researchers in California now report upon tests in animals involving one such drug, known as GM6001, which is used in the form of an inhaler. The mice, which are accepted as a good model of human smokers, were exposed to smoke and given the inhaled drug.

These preliminary results revealed that the drug can block the destruction of lung tissue, by acting on the protease enzymes. This gives new hope to people with emphysema, who otherwise have no treatment to stop the progression of the disease.

Source

European Respiratory Society Congress 1st October 2003