Pulmonology updates
Keeping up to date is our duty as doctors. For patients, every advance is a reason for hope.
Here we gather important lung disease research in plain language. The page is for patients and professionals alike.
This is general information, not treatment advice. Any change to your treatment should be made only with your own doctor.
COPD: a new biologic that works even with low eosinophils
Tozorakimab (AstraZeneca), an antibody against IL-33, reduced COPD flare-ups in two large phase 3 trials (OBERON and TITANIA), including in patients with low blood eosinophils. Not yet approved.
Pulmonary fibrosis: the first new drug in a decade
Nerandomilast (Jascayd) slowed lung function decline in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Approved in the US in 2025, it is the first new IPF drug in more than ten years.
Pulmonary fibrosis: an inhaled treatment that slowed the disease
Inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso), already used in pulmonary hypertension, slowed lung function decline in IPF and reduced clinical worsening (TETON-2 trial). An application for its approval in IPF is under FDA review.
Uncontrolled asthma: a triple inhaler
A triple inhaler (Breztri, budesonide-glycopyrronium-formoterol) improved lung function and reduced severe attacks in people whose asthma was not controlled on a two-drug inhaler (KALOS and LOGOS trials). Approved in the US for asthma in 2026.
Bronchiectasis: the first approved treatment
Brensocatib (Brinsupri), a once-daily tablet, reduced flare-ups in bronchiectasis (ASPEN trial). Approved in the US in 2025, it is the first treatment approved specifically for the condition.
High-risk pulmonary arterial hypertension
In high-risk pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), adding sotatercept (Winrevair) reduced deaths, lung transplants and hospital admissions (ZENITH trial).
Pulmonary fibrosis: do immunosuppressants help?
In a study of 2,270 patients with pulmonary fibrosis, CellCept (mycophenolate) or Imuran (azathioprine) was not linked to better survival or lung function, and in some types of fibrosis to worse outcomes. This is an observational study; do not stop treatment without talking to your doctor.
Severe asthma: new guidance on choosing a biologic
New guidance from the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) on choosing a biologic for severe asthma. When the response is poor after four to six months, switching to a different biologic should be considered.
After a pulmonary embolism: who needs follow-up
A structured assessment at least three months after a pulmonary embolism found chronic clot remnants in 12% of patients, mostly without pulmonary hypertension, and CTEPH in about 2%. A reminder that follow-up matters, especially when breathlessness persists.
Asthma and cannabis
Among 4,477 adults with asthma, smoking or vaping cannabis was linked to a higher risk of an asthma attack over the following year. An observational study.
Pneumonitis after cancer immunotherapy: three or six weeks of steroids?
In a randomised trial of 106 patients with mild pneumonitis (lung inflammation) related to immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors), a three-week course of steroids was less effective than a six-week course (treatment success 67% versus 85%). Survival was similar in both groups. The length of treatment is decided by the treating doctor.
Acute exacerbation of IPF: do very high-dose steroids help?
In a randomised trial in South Korea (100 patients with an acute exacerbation of IPF), very high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) for three days did not improve survival compared with a standard dose for seven days: mortality was 10% versus 15% at 28 days and 25% versus 30% at 90 days. The differences were not statistically significant.
Read in the journal (opens in a new window)Am J Respir Crit Care Med · September 2026Pulmonary fibrosis & ILDPulmonary fibrosis: an updated definition of acute exacerbation
An international working group report updates the definition of acute exacerbation and extends it from IPF to all types of pulmonary fibrosis. It also proposes a structured way to tell it apart from other sudden worsenings of breathing, such as infection or pulmonary oedema. No treatment has yet been proven effective for it.
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