Takis Benos, Ph.D., William Bushnell Presidential Professor of Epidemiology, and team, published their study, “Distinct COPD subtypes in former smokers revealed by gene network perturbation analysis,” in the journal Respiratory Research.
Using blood-derived gene expression data, they identified four subtypes, which differ in symptoms, pulmonary functions, and mortality. The subtypes were consistent across cohorts and could be used for new patient stratification and disease prognosis.