Singh D, Beeh KM, Colgan B, et al. - In this multicentre, three-period (each 32 days), three-way, placebo-controlled, double-blind, complete-block crossover study, researchers included patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, who were taking inhaled triple therapy for ≥ 2 months, to determine how markers of inflammation in induced sputum and blood were influenced by CHF6001, a new inhaled phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. CHF6001 800 or 1600 μg, or matching placebo was administered to patients twice daily via multi-dose dry-powder inhaler (NEXThaler). A significant reduction in leukotriene B4, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and tumour necrosis factor α in sputum was caused by both CHF6001 doses vs placebo. Serum surfactant protein D in blood was also significantly attenuated by both CHF6001 doses vs placebo. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of CHF6001 (inhaled twice daily) in the lungs of patients with COPD already managed with triple inhaled therapy were evident.