Trial of a Preferential Phosphodiesterase 4B Inhibitor for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibition is associated with antiinflammatory and antifibrotic effects that may be beneficial in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: In this phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of BI 1015550, an oral preferential inhibitor of the PDE4B subtype, in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive BI 1015550 at a dose of 18 mg twice daily or placebo. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the forced vital capacity (FVC) at 12 weeks, which we analyzed with a Bayesian approach separately according to background nonuse or use of an antifibrotic agent. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were randomly assigned to receive BI 1015550 or placebo. Among patients without background antifibrotic use, the median change in the FVC was 5.7 ml (95% credible interval, -39.1 to 50.5) in the BI 1015550 group and -81.7 ml (95% credible interval, -133.5 to -44.8) in the placebo group (median difference, 88.4 ml; 95% credible interval, 29.5 to 154.2; probability that BI 1015550 was superior to placebo, 0.998). Among patients with background antifibrotic use, the median change in the FVC was 2.7 ml (95% credible interval, -32.8 to 38.2) in the BI 1015550 group and -59.2 ml (95% credible interval, -111.8 to -17.9) in the placebo group (median difference, 62.4 ml; 95% credible interval, 6.3 to 125.5; probability that BI 1015550 was superior to placebo, 0.986). A mixed model with repeated measures analysis provided results that were consistent with those of the Bayesian analysis. The most frequent adverse event was diarrhea. A total of 13 patients discontinued BI 1015550 treatment owing to adverse events. The percentages of patients with serious adverse events or severe adverse events were similar in the two trial groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this placebo-controlled trial, treatment with BI 1015550, either alone or with background use of an antifibrotic agent, prevented a decrease in lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim; 1305-0013 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04419506.).

Zinpentraxin Alfa for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The Randomized Phase III STARSCAPE Trial.

Rationale: A phase II trial reported clinical benefit over 28 weeks in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who received zinpentraxin alfa. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of zinpentraxin alfa in patients with IPF in a phase III trial. Methods: This 52-week phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pivotal trial was conducted at 275 sites in 29 countries. Patients with IPF were randomized 1:1 to intravenous placebo or zinpentraxin alfa 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was absolute change from baseline to Week 52 in FVC. Secondary endpoints included absolute change from baseline to Week 52 in percent predicted FVC and 6-minute walk distance. Safety was monitored via adverse events. Post hoc analysis of the phase II and phase III data explored changes in FVC and their impact on the efficacy results. Measurements and Main Results: Of 664 randomized patients, 333 were assigned to placebo and 331 to zinpentraxin alfa. Four of the 664 randomized patients were never administered study drug. The trial was terminated early after a prespecified futility analysis that demonstrated no treatment benefit of zinpentraxin alfa over placebo. In the final analysis, absolute change from baseline to Week 52 in FVC was similar between placebo and zinpentraxin alfa (-214.89 ml and -235.72 ml; P = 0.5420); there were no apparent treatment effects on secondary endpoints. Overall, 72.3% and 74.6% of patients receiving placebo and zinpentraxin alfa, respectively, experienced one or more adverse events. Post hoc analysis revealed that extreme FVC decline in two placebo-treated patients resulted in the clinical benefit of zinpentraxin alfa reported by phase II. Conclusions: Zinpentraxin alfa treatment did not benefit patients with IPF over placebo. Learnings from this program may help improve decision making around trials in IPF. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04552899).

Concordance and Prognostic Relevance of Different Definitions of Systemic Sclerosis Interstitial Lung Disease Progression.

RATIONALE: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a common complication that has varied progression rate and prognosis. Different progression definitions are available: include minimal clinically important worsening of forced vital capacity (FVC MCIW), EUSTAR (EUropean Scleroderma Trials and Research group) progression, OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials) progression, and Erice ILD working group progression. Pulmonary function and symptoms changes may act as specific confounding factors applying these definitions in SSc. OBJECTIVE: To assess the concordance and prognostic value of four different definitions in SSc-ILD patients overall and specific clinical groups. METHODS: Progression status in consecutive SSc-ILD patients was assessed over 24 months, 60-month disease-related mortality risk was compared between progressors and non-progressors using the four definitions. RESULTS: Among 245 patients, 26 SSc-related deaths were reported. Mortality was linked to progression for FVC MCIW (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.03-4.97), OMERACT (HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.28-6.57), and Erice definitions (HR 11.02, 95% CI 2.38-51.08). The association between progression and mortality was poor in patients with disease duration ≥3 years, mild functional impairment, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP)≥40 mmHg. Erice criteria appeared superior in patients with duration ≥3 years, limited cutaneous variant, and PASP<40 mmHg. OMERACT criteria performed better in diffuse cutaneous variant patients with severe functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The four evaluated definitions of progression in SSc-ILD are not interchangeable, resulting in up to a third of cases being classified differently based on the adopted criteria, and presenting different prognostic values, particularly within specific clinical groups.

Meaningful Endpoints for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Clinical Trials: Emphasis on 'Feels, Functions, Survives'. Report of a Collaborative Discussion in a Symposium with Direct Engagement from Representatives of Patients, Investigators, the National Institutes of Health, a Patient Advocacy Organization, and a Regulatory Agency.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) carries significant mortality and unpredictable progression, with limited therapeutic options. Designing trials with patient-meaningful endpoints, enhancing the reliability and interpretability of results, and streamlining the regulatory approval process are of critical importance to advancing clinical care in IPF. Methods: A landmark in-person symposium in June 2023 assembled 43 participants from the US and internationally, including patients with IPF, investigators, and regulatory representatives, to discuss the immediate future of IPF clinical trial endpoints. Patient advocates were central to discussions, which evaluated endpoints according to regulatory standards and the FDA's 'feels, functions, survives' criteria. Results: Three themes emerged: 1) consensus on endpoints mirroring the lived experiences of patients with IPF; 2) consideration of replacing forced vital capacity (FVC) as the primary endpoint, potentially by composite endpoints that include 'feels, functions, survives' measures or FVC as components; 3) support for simplified, user-friendly patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as either components of primary composite endpoints or key secondary endpoints, supplemented by functional tests as secondary endpoints and novel biomarkers as supportive measures (FDA Guidance for Industry (Multiple Endpoints in Clinical Trials) available at: https://www.fda.gov/media/162416/download). Conclusions: This report, detailing the proceedings of this pivotal symposium, suggests a potential turning point in designing future IPF clinical trials more attuned to outcomes meaningful to patients, and documents the collective agreement across multidisciplinary stakeholders on the importance of anchoring IPF trial endpoints on real patient experiences-namely, how they feel, function, and survive. There is considerable optimism that clinical care in IPF will progress through trials focused on patient-centric insights, ultimately guiding transformative treatment strategies to enhance patients' quality of life and survival.

Reliability of crackles in fibrotic interstitial lung disease: a prospective, longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Although crackles on chest auscultation represent a fundamental component of the diagnostic suspect for fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD), their reliability has not been properly studied. We assessed the agreement among respiratory physicians on the presence and changes over time of audible crackles collected in a prospective longitudinal cohort of patients with fibrotic ILD. METHODS: Lung sounds were digitally recorded at baseline and after 12 months at eight anatomical sites. Nine respiratory physicians blindly assessed randomized couples of recordings obtained from the same anatomical site at different timepoints. The physicians indicated the presence of crackles in individual recordings and which recording from each couple eventually had more intense crackles. Fleiss' kappa coefficient was used to measure inter- and intra-rater agreement. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients, mostly with a diagnosis of IPF (n = 40, 76.9%) were prospectively enrolled between October 2019 and May 2021. The final acoustic dataset included 702 single recordings, corresponding to 351 couples of recordings from baseline and 12-months timepoints. Kappa coefficient was 0.57 (95% CI 0.55-0.58) for the presence of crackles and 0.42 (95% CI 0.41-0.43) for acoustic change. Intra-rater agreement, measured for three respiratory physicians on three repeated assessments, ranged from good to excellent for the presence of crackles (κ = 0.87, κ = 0.86, κ = 0.79), and from moderate to good for acoustic change (κ = 0.75, κ = 0.76, κ = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between respiratory physicians for the presence of crackles and acoustic change was acceptable, suggesting that crackles represent a reliable acoustic finding in patients with fibrotic ILD. Their role as a lung-derived indicator of disease progression merits further studies.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Is Associated with Common Genetic Variants and Limited Rare Variants.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare, irreversible, and progressive disease of the lungs. Common genetic variants, in addition to nongenetic factors, have been consistently associated with IPF. Rare variants identified by candidate gene, family-based, and exome studies have also been reported to associate with IPF. However, the extent to which rare variants, genome-wide, may contribute to the risk of IPF remains unknown. Objectives: We used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the role of rare variants, genome-wide, on IPF risk. Methods: As part of the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine Program, we sequenced 2,180 cases of IPF. Association testing focused on the aggregated effect of rare variants (minor allele frequency ⩽0.01) within genes or regions. We also identified individual rare variants that are influential within genes and estimated the heritability of IPF on the basis of rare and common variants. Measurements and Main Results: Rare variants in both TERT and RTEL1 were significantly associated with IPF. A single rare variant in each of the TERT and RTEL1 genes was found to consistently influence the aggregated test statistics. There was no significant evidence of association with other previously reported rare variants. The SNP heritability of IPF was estimated to be 32% (SE = 3%). Conclusions: Rare variants within the TERT and RTEL1 genes and well-established common variants have the largest contribution to IPF risk overall. Efforts in risk profiling or the development of therapies for IPF that focus on TERT, RTEL1, common variants, and environmental risk factors are likely to have the largest impact on this complex disease.

Pamrevlumab for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The ZEPHYRUS-1 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Current treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis slow the rate of lung function decline, but may be associated with adverse events that affect medication adherence. In phase 2 trials, pamrevlumab (a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits connective tissue growth factor activity) attenuated the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis without substantial adverse events. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of pamrevlumab for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: Phase 3 randomized clinical trial including 356 patients aged 40 to 85 years with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who were not receiving antifibrotic treatment with nintedanib or pirfenidone at enrollment. Patients were recruited from 117 sites in 9 countries between July 18, 2019, and July 29, 2022; the last follow-up encounter occurred on August 28, 2023. Interventions: Pamrevlumab (30 mg/kg administered intravenously every 3 weeks; n = 181) or placebo (n = 175) for 48 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was absolute change in forced vital capacity (FVC) from baseline to week 48. There were 5 secondary outcomes (including time to disease progression, which was defined as a decline of ≥10% in predicted FVC or death). The exploratory outcomes included patient-reported symptoms. Adverse events were reported. Results: Among 356 patients (mean age, 70.5 years; 258 [72.5%] were men; 221 [62.1%] were White), 277 (77.8%) completed the trial. There was no significant between-group difference for absolute change in FVC from baseline to week 48 (least-squares mean, -260 mL [95% CI, -350 to -170 mL] in the pamrevlumab group vs -330 mL [95% CI, -430 to -230 mL] in the placebo group; mean between-group difference, 70 mL [95% CI, -60 to 190 mL], P = .29). There were no significant between-group differences in any of the secondary outcomes or in the patient-reported outcomes. In the pamrevlumab group, there were 160 patients (88.4%) with treatment-related adverse events and 51 patients (28.2%) with serious adverse events vs 151 (86.3%) and 60 (34.3%), respectively, in the placebo group. During the study, 23 patients died in each group (12.7% in the pamrevlumab group vs 13.1% in the placebo group). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with pamrevlumab or placebo, there was no statistically significant between-group difference for the primary outcome of absolute change in FVC from baseline to week 48. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03955146.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: state of the art for 2023.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterised by worsening respiratory symptoms and physiological impairment. Increasing awareness of the clinical manifestations of IPF, more widespread use of computed tomography scans and other potential factors have contributed to a rising prevalence of IPF over the last two decades, especially among people over the age of 65 years. Significant advances in the understanding of the pathobiology of IPF have emerged, and multiple genetic and nongenetic contributors have been identified. The individual patient course and the rate of disease progression in IPF are often unpredictable and heterogeneous. The rate of lung function decline is further modified by treatment with antifibrotic therapies, which have been shown to slow down disease progression. The presence of comorbid conditions may increase symptom burden and impact survival. Clinical monitoring at regular intervals to assess for disease progression by worsening symptoms, physiological parameters and/or radiological features is essential to assess the natural disease course and to guide further management, including prompt detection of complications and comorbid conditions that warrant additional treatment considerations, and timely consideration of referral to palliative care and lung transplantation for the appropriate patient. More studies are needed to determine whether early detection of IPF might improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this concise clinical review is to provide an update on IPF diagnosis, epidemiology, natural history and treatment in the context of new knowledge and latest clinical practice guidelines.

Walking the path of treatable traits in interstitial lung diseases.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are complex and heterogeneous diseases. The use of traditional diagnostic classification in ILD can lead to suboptimal management, which is worsened by not considering the molecular pathways, biological complexity, and disease phenotypes. The identification of specific "treatable traits" in ILDs, which are clinically relevant and modifiable disease characteristics, may improve patient's outcomes. Treatable traits in ILDs may be classified into four different domains (pulmonary, aetiological, comorbidities, and lifestyle), which will facilitate identification of related assessment tools, treatment options, and expected benefits. A multidisciplinary care team model is a potential way to implement a "treatable traits" strategy into clinical practice with the aim of improving patients' outcomes. Multidisciplinary models of care, international registries, and the use of artificial intelligence may facilitate the implementation of the "treatable traits" approach into clinical practice. Prospective studies are needed to test potential therapies for a variety of treatable traits to further advance care of patients with ILD.

An update on emerging drugs for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a look towards 2023 and beyond.

INTRODUCTION: Currently approved drug treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), pirfenidone and nintedanib, have been shown to slow lung function decline and improve clinical outcomes. Since significant advances in the understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms in IPF, novel potential agents are being tested to identify new targeted and better tolerated therapeutic strategies. AREAS COVERED: This review describes the evidence from IPF phase II and III clinical trials that have been completed or are ongoing in recent years. The literature search was performed using Medline and Clinicaltrials.org databases. Particular attention is paid to the new inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4B (BI 1015550), being studied in a more advanced research phase. Some emerging critical issues of the pharmacological research are highlighted considering the recent outstanding failures of several phase III trials. EXPERT OPINION: An exponential number of randomized clinical trials are underway testing promising new molecules to increase treatment choices for patients with IPF and improve patients' quality of life. The next goals should aim at a deeper understanding of the pathogenic pathways of the disease with the challenging goal of being able not only to stabilize but also to reverse the ongoing fibrotic process in patients with IPF.

The Impact of Telemedicine during Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic and Future Perspectives: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread worldwide since December 2019, causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Several measures have taken place in many countries to avoid further spread of the virus and to manage infected people according to disease severity. Notably, telemedicine (TM) was successfully used to manage less severe patients. Our aim was to assess the impact and the edges of using TM in home-isolated or hospitalized patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and its further application. METHODS: We performed a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English and available on PubMed database. Full texts were blindly reviewed and then assessed according to PICO model. RESULTS: Our research identified a total of 1,959 records, of which 24 were potentially eligible through the articles full-text review. Six papers were included for data extraction and 18 articles were excluded: 10 articles were not RCTs and 8 articles did not involve SARS-CoV-2 patients. The TM application showed an improvement in psychological stress, mental disorders, and a significant reduction of general stress in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The effectiveness of using TM in rehabilitative respiratory programs has been also reported. Furthermore, the benefits of TM application in tailored monitoring of vital parameters in home-isolated patients helped clinicians to early identify a deterioration of clinical conditions. CONCLUSION: The use of TM during COVID-19 pandemic represented a novel, intriguing, versatile, and useful tool to support clinical practice. This evidence suggests considering TM in a wider range of clinical applications.

Observational, Multicenter Study on the Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Nintedanib in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Older than 80 Years.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) primarily affects old patients. Old age is a predictor of mortality. Nintedanib, the only antifibrotic drug approved in Italy for patients aged >80 years, can slow the progression of IPF by reducing the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and the risk of exacerbations. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of the study was to compare the decline of FVC after 12 months of nintedanib in patients aged >80 years versus younger patients. Differences related to other functional data, safety, tolerability, hospitalizations, exacerbations, and mortality were evaluated. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, multicenter study was carried out in Italy. RESULTS: 159 (122 [76.7%] males) patients were recruited: 106 (66.7%) aged ≤80 years and 53 (33.3%) aged >80 years. FVC decline after 12 months of therapy was not significantly different (-45 mL [-170; 75] vs. -20 mL [-138; 110] mL; p: 0.51). No differences were found for other functional data. Diarrhea was the most frequent adverse event (AE). Rate and type of any AEs, permanent/temporary dose reduction, or drug discontinuation were not significantly different between patients aged ≤80 vs. >80 years. Furthermore, acute exacerbations, hospitalization, and mortality were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Nintedanib is effective and safe in patients with IPF aged >80 years, and no significant differences were found when clinical outcomes were compared with those of younger patients. Thus, older age should not be a barrier for the early prescription of antifibrotic treatment in IPF patients.

Phase 2B Study of Inhaled RVT-1601 for Chronic Cough in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study (SCENIC Trial).

Rationale: Chronic cough remains a major and often debilitating symptom for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In a phase 2A study, inhaled RVT-1601 (cromolyn sodium) reduced daytime cough and 24-hour average cough counts in patients with IPF. Objectives: To determine the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose of inhaled RVT-1601 for the treatment of chronic cough in patients with IPF. Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2B study, patients with IPF and chronic cough for ⩾8 weeks were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive 10, 40, and 80 mg RVT-1601 three times daily or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to end of treatment in log-transformed 24-hour cough count. Key secondary endpoints were change from baseline in cough severity and cough-specific quality of life. Safety was monitored throughout the study. Measurements and Main Results: The study was prematurely terminated owing to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Overall, 108 patients (mean age 71.0 years, 62.9% males) received RVT-1601 10 mg (n = 29), 40 mg (n = 25), 80 mg (n = 27), or matching placebo (n = 27); 61.1% (n = 66) completed double-blind treatment. No statistically significant difference was observed in the least-square mean change from baseline in log-transformed 24-hour average cough count, cough severity, and cough-specific quality of life score between the RVT-1601 groups and the placebo group. The mean percentage change from baseline in 24-hour average cough count was 27.7% in the placebo group. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Conclusions: Treatment with inhaled RVT-1601 (10, 40, and 80 mg three times a day) did not provide benefit over placebo for the treatment of chronic cough in patients with IPF.

A Phase IIb Randomized Clinical Study of an Anti-αvß6 Monoclonal Antibody in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Rationale: Treatment options for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are limited. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BG00011, an anti-αvß6 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, in the treatment of patients with IPF. Methods: In a phase IIb randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with IPF (FVC ⩾50% predicted, on or off background therapy) were randomized 1:1 to once-weekly subcutaneous BG00011 56 mg or placebo. The primary endpoint was FVC change from baseline at Week 52. Because of early trial termination (imbalance in adverse events and lack of clinical benefit), endpoints were evaluated at Week 26 as an exploratory analysis. Measurements and Main Results: One hundred six patients were randomized and received at least one dose of BG00011 (n = 54) or placebo (n = 52). At Week 26, there was no significant difference in FVC change from baseline between patients who received BG00011 (n = 20) or placebo (n = 23), least squares mean (SE) -0.097 L (0.0600) versus -0.056 L (0.0593), respectively (P = 0.268). However, after Week 26, patients in the BG00011 group showed a worsening trend. Eight (44.4%) of 18 who received BG00011 and 4 (18.2%) of 22 who received placebo showed worsening of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography at the end of treatment. IPF exacerbation/or progression was reported in 13 patients (all in the BG00011 group). Serious adverse events occurred more frequently in BG00011 patients, including four deaths. Conclusions: The results do not support the continued clinical development of BG00011. Further research is warranted to identify new treatment strategies that modify inflammatory and fibrotic pathways in IPF. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03573505).

Reticulation Is a Risk Factor of Progressive Subpleural Nonfibrotic Interstitial Lung Abnormalities.

Rationale: Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are being increasingly identified in clinical practice. In particular, for subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs, the risk of progression over time and the risk factors for progressive behavior are still largely unknown. Objectives: To determine the age band prevalence of ILAs and the risk of radiological progression of subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs over time in a large health checkup population and to identify how reticulation contributes to the risk of radiological progression. Methods: On the basis of the ILAs definition by the Fleischner Society, low-dose chest computed tomography images from the community-dwelling population who have undergone health checkups were evaluated for ILAs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the risk of radiological progression. Measurements and Main Results: Among 155,539 individuals, 3,300 (2.1%) were confirmed to have ILAs: the vast majority (81.7%) were defined as subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs. The prevalence of ILAs increased linearly with age (P for trend < 0.0001). Of 454 individuals with subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs, 198 (43.6%) had radiological progression over 4 years. The presence of reticulation on initial imaging was an independent predictor of radiological progression (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.0; P = 0.0040). No difference in radiological progression was identified between subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs with extensive reticulation and subpleural fibrotic ILAs (73.0% vs. 68.8%; P = 0.7626). Conclusions: The prevalence of ILAs increases linearly with age. Nearly half of subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs progress radiologically over 4 years. The presence of reticulation is a risk factor for radiological progression. Subpleural nonfibrotic ILAs with extensive reticulation are likely to be a feature of subpleural fibrotic ILAs.

Integrating Clinical Probability into the Diagnostic Approach to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: An International Working Group Perspective.

Background: When considering the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), experienced clinicians integrate clinical features that help to differentiate IPF from other fibrosing interstitial lung diseases, thus generating a "pre-test" probability of IPF. The aim of this international working group perspective was to summarize these features using a tabulated approach similar to chest HRCT and histopathologic patterns reported in the international guidelines for the diagnosis of IPF, and to help formally incorporate these clinical likelihoods into diagnostic reasoning to facilitate the diagnosis of IPF. Methods: The committee group identified factors that influence the clinical likelihood of a diagnosis of IPF, which was categorized as a pre-test clinical probability of IPF into "high" (70-100%), "intermediate" (30-70%), or "low" (0-30%). After integration of radiological and histopathological features, the post-test probability of diagnosis was categorized into "definite" (90-100%), "high confidence" (70-89%), "low confidence" (51-69%), or "low" (0-50%) probability of IPF. Findings: A conceptual Bayesian framework was created, integrating the clinical likelihood of IPF ("pre-test probability of IPF") with the HRCT pattern, the histopathology pattern when available, and/or the pattern of observed disease behavior, into a "post-test probability of IPF." The diagnostic probability of IPF was expressed using an adapted diagnostic ontology for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. Interpretation: The present approach will help incorporate the clinical judgment into the diagnosis of IPF, thus facilitating the application of IPF diagnostic guidelines and, ultimately improving diagnostic confidence and reducing the need for invasive diagnostic techniques.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (an Update) and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis in Adults: An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Clinical Practice Guideline.

Background: This American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax guideline updates prior idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) guidelines and addresses the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) other than IPF. Methods: A committee was composed of multidisciplinary experts in ILD, methodologists, and patient representatives. 1) Update of IPF: Radiological and histopathological criteria for IPF were updated by consensus. Questions about transbronchial lung cryobiopsy, genomic classifier testing, antacid medication, and antireflux surgery were informed by systematic reviews and answered with evidence-based recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. 2) Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF): PPF was defined, and then radiological and physiological criteria for PPF were determined by consensus. Questions about pirfenidone and nintedanib were informed by systematic reviews and answered with evidence-based recommendations using the GRADE approach. Results:1) Update of IPF: A conditional recommendation was made to regard transbronchial lung cryobiopsy as an acceptable alternative to surgical lung biopsy in centers with appropriate expertise. No recommendation was made for or against genomic classifier testing. Conditional recommendations were made against antacid medication and antireflux surgery for the treatment of IPF. 2) PPF: PPF was defined as at least two of three criteria (worsening symptoms, radiological progression, and physiological progression) occurring within the past year with no alternative explanation in a patient with an ILD other than IPF. A conditional recommendation was made for nintedanib, and additional research into pirfenidone was recommended. Conclusions: The conditional recommendations in this guideline are intended to provide the basis for rational, informed decisions by clinicians.

Monitoring small airway dysfunction in connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease: a retrospective and prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Small airway dysfunction (SAD), a hallmark of early lung function abnormality, is a major component of several chronic respiratory disorders. The role of SAD in patients with connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) has not been explored. METHODS: We conducted a two-parts (retrospective and prospective) study to collect pulmonary function tests from CTD-ILD patients. SAD was defined as at least two of the three measures (MMEF, FEF 50%, and FEF 75%) must be 65% of predicted values. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate association between SAD and other pulmonary function parameters. Mixed effects regression modeling analysis was used to assess response to treatment. RESULTS: CTD-ILD patients with SAD and without SAD were compared in this study. In the retrospective study, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) from 491 CTD-ILD patients were evaluated, SAD were identified in 233 (47.5%). CTD-ILD patients with SAD were less smokers (17.6% vs. 27.9%, p = 0.007) and more females (74.3% vs. 64.0%, p = 0.015) than those without SAD. CTD-ILD patients with SAD had lower vital capacity (% predicted FVC, 70.4 ± 18.3 vs. 80.0 ± 20.9, p < 0.001) and lower diffusion capacity (% predicted DLCO, 58.8 ± 19.7 vs. 63.8 ± 22.1, p = 0.011) than those without SAD. Among 87 CTD-ILD patients prospectively enrolled, significant improvement in % predicted FVC was observed at 12-months follow-up (6.37 ± 1.53, p < 0.001 in patients with SAD; 5.13 ± 1.53, p = 0.002 in patients without SAD), but not in diffusion capacity and SAD parameters. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, about half of CTD-ILD patients have SAD, which is less frequent in smokers and more common in female patients. CTD-ILD patients with SAD have worse pulmonary function compared to those without SAD. Improvement of FVC but no improvement of SAD was observed in CTD-ILD patients after treatment.

Bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk provides self-sustaining profibrotic signals in pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the prototypic progressive fibrotic lung disease with a median survival of 2 to 4 years. Injury to and/or dysfunction of the alveolar epithelium is strongly implicated in IPF disease initiation, but the factors that determine whether fibrosis progresses rather than normal tissue repair occurs remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells augments transforming growth factor-ß-induced profibrogenic responses in underlying lung fibroblasts via paracrine signaling. Here, we investigated bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk and its potential to drive fibrosis progression. RNA-Seq of lung fibroblasts exposed to conditioned media from ATII cells undergoing RAS-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition identified many differentially expressed genes including those involved in cell migration and extracellular matrix regulation. We confirmed that paracrine signaling between RAS-activated ATII cells and fibroblasts augmented fibroblast recruitment and demonstrated that this involved a zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1-tissue plasminogen activator axis. In a reciprocal fashion, paracrine signaling from transforming growth factor-ß-activated lung fibroblasts or IPF fibroblasts induced RAS activation in ATII cells, at least partially through the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, which may signal via the epithelial growth factor receptor via epithelial growth factor-like repeats. Together, these data identify that aberrant bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk in IPF drives a chronic feedback loop that maintains a wound-healing phenotype and provides self-sustaining profibrotic signals.

Nintedanib in Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical data have suggested that nintedanib, an intracellular inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, inhibits processes involved in the progression of lung fibrosis. Although the efficacy of nintedanib has been shown in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, its efficacy across a broad range of fibrosing lung diseases is unknown. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial conducted in 15 countries, we randomly assigned patients with fibrosing lung disease affecting more than 10% of lung volume on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) to receive nintedanib at a dose of 150 mg twice daily or placebo. All the patients met criteria for progression of interstitial lung disease in the past 24 months despite treatment and had a forced vital capacity (FVC) of at least 45% of the predicted value and a diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide ranging from 30 to less than 80% of the predicted value. Randomization was stratified according to the fibrotic pattern (a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia [UIP] or other fibrotic patterns) on high-resolution CT. The primary end point was the annual rate of decline in the FVC, as assessed over a 52-week period. The two primary populations for analysis were the overall population and patients with a UIP-like fibrotic pattern. RESULTS: A total of 663 patients were treated. In the overall population, the adjusted rate of decline in the FVC was -80.8 ml per year with nintedanib and -187.8 ml per year with placebo, for a between-group difference of 107.0 ml per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.4 to 148.5; P<0.001). In patients with a UIP-like fibrotic pattern, the adjusted rate of decline in the FVC was -82.9 ml per year with nintedanib and -211.1 ml per year with placebo, for a difference of 128.2 ml (95% CI, 70.8 to 185.6; P<0.001). Diarrhea was the most common adverse event, as reported in 66.9% and 23.9% of patients treated with nintedanib and placebo, respectively. Abnormalities on liver-function testing were more common in the nintedanib group than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases, the annual rate of decline in the FVC was significantly lower among patients who received nintedanib than among those who received placebo. Diarrhea was a common adverse event. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim; INBUILD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02999178.).