METHODS FOR IMPROVING DRUG EFFICACY
The present disclosure provides methods for improving drug efficacy in a patient having an obstructed airway in a lung. Such methods modulate nerve activity in the autonomic nervous system of a patient to reduce obstruction of an airway in a lung of the patient prior to administering a drug to the patient. These methods are especially useful in improving efficacies of bronchodilators in treating obstructive lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
1 . A method for improving efficacy of a drug in a patient having an obstructive lung disease, the drug having a reference efficacy, comprising:
modulating nerve activity in the autonomic nervous system of the patient to reduce obstruction in at least one obstructed airway in the lung of the patient, and
subsequently administering the drug to the patient,
wherein steps (a) and (b) have a treatment efficacy greater than the reference efficacy.
2 .- 88 . (canceled)