In sputum neutrophils from COPD patients stimulated with CSE 5 %, < 40 % of maximal IL-8 inhibition was achieved with fluticasone propionate (Fig. 2b, Additional file 1: Table SE1), whereas aclidinium bromide concentration-dependently inhibited CSE-induced IL-8 secretion in sputum neutrophils of COPD patients with similar potency and maximal effects observed in peripheral neutrophils from healthy and COPD patients. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.