ABSTRACT In the recent years, a large number of potential biomarkers for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have been described. Biomarkers derive from a variety of sources (bronchioalveolar lavage fluid, sputum, exhaled breath, and blood), provide complementary information to ascertain disease diagnosis, stage, activity/progression and/or treatment responses. The present review highlights the current literature and patents in the field with potential increase in disease control and therapeutic effectiveness to be granted in the near future.