Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Inhaled treprostinil, a synthetic prostacyclin analogue approved for PAH and PH-ILD, was investigated in the phase 3 TETON-1 trial in patients with IPF. In this interview, Dr Steven Nathan discussed the unmet needs in the treatment paradigm for IPF, the rationale for evaluating inhaled treprostinil in this indication, and highlighted the study design and key findings from TETON-1.

Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) remain difficult to treat due to their clinical heterogeneity, variable trajectories, and an increasingly complex therapeutic landscape. As part of our Respirology Reflections series, we spoke with Prof. Girish B. Nair to discuss early treatment initiation, selecting and sequencing antifibrotic or immunosuppressive therapies, evaluating response and duration, managing side effects, and addressing comorbidities and disease variability over time.

The PROLIFIC Risk Score, a multi-biomarker blood test for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), recently reached a major milestone as the first IPF biomarker accepted into the FDA’s Biomarker Qualification Program. This achievement underscores its potential to improve patient stratification and prediction of disease progression. In this interview, PROLIFIC Chair Peter Schafer discusses how the Risk Score works, the unmet needs it addresses, and its path toward full FDA qualification.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr Kulkarni to the touchREVIEWS in Respiratory & Pulmonary Diseases Editorial Board and look forward to her expertise, leadership and vision contributing to the continued growth and impact of the journal.

In this year-end review, we are pleased to share personal highlights from members of the touchRESPIRATORY Editorial Board and this year's Future Leaders cohort, whose perspectives offer a window into the innovations that have most influenced clinical practice and research over the past 12 months. Their reflections capture not only the momentum of 2025, but also the promise of what lies ahead as the field continues to evolve.

In this episode, Nicky speaks with Prof. Georgina Ellison-Hughes from King’s College London about the groundbreaking field of senolytics and their potential to advance the treatment of age-related diseases. From understanding the science behind cellular senescence to how senolytic drugs work and what early clinical trials reveal, this episode explores an exciting frontier in longevity medicine.

As the therapeutic landscape for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) continues to evolve, new trials are redefining targeted treatment and precision medicine approaches. In this Q&A, Dr Tejaswini Kulkarni discusses her CHEST 2025 presentation, highlighting emerging therapeutic targets, the role of biomarkers, recruitment challenges, and innovative trial designs shaping the future of fibrotic ILD research.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is marking a major milestone in 2025: 25 years of progress in improving the lives of those affected by pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Since its founding in 2000, PFF has become a leading voice in patient support, education, research funding, and advocacy. This September we are also taking part in PFF’s Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month (PFAM), which is held yearly. Through this campaign, the PFF aims to raise national awareness of pulmonary fibrosis, educate the public and healthcare professionals, amplify patient and caregiver voices, and inspire action through advocacy and fundraising efforts.

As touchRESPIRATORY approaches 10 years of providing education for busy respiratory specialists, we are looking to the future—and it certainly looks bright!