Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious and incurable lung condition that affects about 2.6 million Canadians. In British Columbia alone, the number of people diagnosed with COPD is expected to rise by 155 percent between 2010 and 2030. People living with COPD often experience ongoing shortness of breath and cough and are frequently hospitalized during sudden flare-ups, which increase the risk of death and place heavy strain on the healthcare system. Despite this burden, clinicians still lack reliable tools to predict which patients will worsen or which high‑risk individuals will go on to develop the disease.

This project aims to identify new molecular signals in the airways that can better predict COPD risk and outcomes. Led by Dr. Janice Leung and Dr. Don Sin at the University of British Columbia, the research aims to develop more precise ways to guide prevention and care. The innovation lies in studying the lungs directly, rather than relying only on blood biomarkers, to uncover early warning signs of damage.

Researchers will analyze existing airway samples collected over more than a decade through the St. Paul’s Hospital Bronchoscopy Registry and link them with real‑world health records using Health Data Platform BC. Using advanced multi‑omics approaches, the team will study the airway microbiome, gene activity and DNA methylation to understand why some people deteriorate faster than others. The project also focuses on emerging risk groups, including people who vape, smoke cannabis or live with HIV.

The expected result of this work is a set of new airway‑based biomarkers and prediction tools that could support earlier and more personalized care for people with COPD in British Columbia. These insights have the potential to improve patient outcomes, inform public health strategies and reduce long‑term healthcare costs across the province.