Abstract: Emphysema and COPD are diagnosed, and the efficacy of therapeutic drug candidates for the treatment of emphysema and/or COPD is evaluated, by determining biomarkers selected from the group SpB, desmosine, VEGF, IGFBP2, MMP12, TIMP1, MMP9, Crabp2, Rbp1, Cyp26a1, Tgm2, Timp3, Adam17, Serpina1, Slpi, Col1a1, Eln, TGF?1, TGF?-RII, Sftpa1, Csf2, Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl5, IL-8R?, IL-8R?, IL-6, TNF, EGF-R, Areg, PDGF?, HpGF, FGF7, Kdr, flt1, Angpt1, Tek, HIF1?, Hyou1, PGF, and tropoelastin.

Abstract: This invention relates to new RAR selective retinoid agonists of formula I wherein the symbols are as defined in the specification to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, individual isomers or to a racemic or non-racemic mixture; to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to methods for their use as therapeutic agents.