Pulmonary Literature Review and Complex Case Presentations Post Graduate Course-ILD Year in Review I Chan

ILD Year in Review I Chan

Pdf Summary

The Literature Year in Review for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) in 2024 highlights several key developments in the field, particularly focusing on the potential clinical utility of telomere length (TL) testing and the emergence of Bexotegrast as a promising therapy.<br /><br />Telomere length testing has been identified as a potentially impactful biomarker for clinical management of ILD. Short telomere length (STL) has been associated with the development and progression of ILD, with STL observed in 13-62% of patients. This measurement has been shown to have significant implications for survival outcomes, particularly in patients with fibrotic HP, CTD-ILD, and uILD. A study demonstrated that incorporating TL testing led to management changes in 32% of patients, with a reduction in immunosuppression being the most common alteration.<br /><br />Bexotegrast, an oral investigational drug, has shown promising results in a Phase 2 clinical trial. It works by inhibiting TGF-beta activation, a key driver of lung fibrosis. The trial indicated a favorable safety profile and a reduction in functional vital capacity decline and quantitative lung fibrosis over 12 weeks. The positive outcome has led to the ongoing Phase III BEACON-IPF trial to evaluate its long-term efficacy.<br /><br />Additionally, nocturnal hypoxemia has been linked to poorer outcomes in patients with progressive fibrotic ILD, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and management. The FORD index also emerged as a tool for identifying IPF patients at risk of pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, standardization of HRCT findings in pulmonary sarcoidosis is underway, with certain phenotypes linked to worse survival outcomes.<br /><br />These findings underscore the importance of telomere testing and novel therapies in improving ILD patient care and prognosis, suggesting a shift towards more personalized treatment approaches.

Keywords

Interstitial Lung Disease

telomere length testing

Bexotegrast

biomarker

lung fibrosis

TGF-beta inhibition

Phase 2 clinical trial

nocturnal hypoxemia

pulmonary hypertension

personalized treatment

Pulmonary Hypertension