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7 Pulmonology Headlines You Missed in January 2026
January 2025 saw new data and guidelines in asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonology research and clinical practice opened 2026 with momentum across drug development, guideline refinement, and diagnostic innovation. Early‑phase data in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) highlighted encouraging biologic and mechanistic signals—most notably with GRI‑0621 and the STAT3 inhibitor TTI‑101—while new evidence reframed conversations about bronchodilator responsiveness, positioning it as a powerful prognostic marker rather than a diagnostic divider. At the same time, the FDA’s clearance of LEADOPTIK’s high‑resolution biopsy system underscored a growing emphasis on real‑time precision in lung cancer diagnostics, a critical step as screening programs continue to expand.
Parallel progress unfolded in severe asthma, where CHEST released its first guideline dedicated to selecting and sequencing biologics, offering long‑needed structure for managing patients who fail initial therapy. Our conversations with experts in the past year, partly captured in Lungcast’s 2025 recap, reflected this shift toward precision, prevention, and implementation—spanning equitable lung function testing, environmental threats like wildfire smoke, updates to COPD care, and new thinking at the intersection of lifestyle, climate, and respiratory health.
Check out this January 2025 pulmonology month in review for a recap of HCPLive’s coverage of the top news and research from the past few weeks:
1. GRI-0621 Well-Tolerated, Shows Positive Biomarker and FVC Data in IPF
GRI‑0621 showed strong safety and early signs of efficacy in a 12‑week Phase 2a trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with no major tolerability issues and fewer cough or GI adverse events than placebo. The drug also produced biomarker shifts toward fibrosis resolution and an anti‑fibrotic immune profile, including a placebo‑adjusted FVC gain of around 100 mL.
2. New CHEST Recommendations Guide Biologic Use for Severe Asthma
CHEST released its first guideline dedicated to choosing and sequencing biologics in severe asthma, offering 7 evidence-based recommendations that often favor dupilumab, especially for patients with frequent exacerbations or steroid dependence. The guideline fills a major gap for clinicians navigating biologic switches after treatment failure, helping tailor therapy based on biomarkers, comorbidities, and response patterns.
3. FDA Clears LEADOPTIK's LIA System for Higher-Accuracy Lung Biopsy
The FDA cleared LEADOPTIK’s Last Inch Assessment system, a biopsy tool that embeds high‑resolution depth imaging directly into the needle to confirm real‑time tissue sampling, offering 50× higher resolution than current technologies. With preclinical data showing >95% biopsy accuracy, the system could significantly reduce diagnostic delays in lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death, and strengthen early detection efforts that can cut mortality by up to 25%.
4. Bronchodilator Response Outperforms Genetic Risk in Predicting COPD Progression
The COPDGene analysis shows that bronchodilator responsiveness, often used to classify asthma versus COPD, is actually a strong prognostic marker in smokers with normal spirometry, outperforming genetic risk scores in predicting FEV₁ decline and future COPD. Investigators emphasized that bronchodilator response should not determine disease label but may identify early airway disease and potentially help to prevent COPD progression.
5. Additional Phase 2 REVERT IPF Data Shows Greater Fibrosis Reduction With TTI-101
A secondary analysis of Tvardi’s phase 2 REVERT IPF trial found that the STAT3 inhibitor TTI‑101 led to greater reductions in fibrosis on CT (‑9.4% vs ‑2.4%) and larger declines in IL‑6 than placebo, suggesting pharmacologic activity despite earlier mixed results. Although the study wasn’t powered for efficacy and showed unexpected placebo performance, 63% of TTI‑101–treated patients had FVC improvement at 12 weeks, supporting continued development of next‑generation STAT3 inhibitors like TTI‑109.
Lungcast’s 2025 recap highlights a year of rapid progress in pulmonology, showcasing expert discussions on topics ranging from race‑neutral lung function equations to wildfire air‑quality risks, lung cancer screening lessons, and major COPD guideline updates. The year’s conversations reflect the field’s growing focus on prevention, equity, and climate resilience.
Watch the recap below:
