Both CXCL1 and CXCL8 are markedly increased in the sputum of patients with COPD (Traves et al, 2002), but CXCR2 antagonists are clinically ineffective in COPD, although long-term studies and effects on disease progression have not been reported (Chapman et al, 2009; Rennard et al, 2015). Here, CXCL8 is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.