Reflections on TORCH: Potential Mechanisms for the Survival Benefit of Salmeterol/Fluticasone Propionate in COPD Patients

COPI) is a disease with a multi-component pathophysiology in which inflammation plays a key role. An anti-inflammatory effect of salmeterol (S)/fluticasone propionate (FP) combination (SFC), as demonstrated in a number of biopsy studies, may be the mechanism by which it provides a potential survival benefit in COPD patients in the TORCH study. It is possible that the molecular synergy between S and FP shown in COPD results in enhanced anti-inflammatory in the airways. This may also contribute to the reduction in exacerbations and the increase in lung function seen in the TORCH study. Alternatively, SFC may prolong survival by impacting on systemic inflammation and disease co-morbiditles in COPD.