CHEST 2026: Day 3 Recap — 6 Headlines to Know

Day 3 of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) 2026 Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, covered COPD, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and the role of artificial intelligence in respiratory care.

Highlights included 2-year exacerbation data for an investigational anti-IL-33 antibody in COPD, an expert review of new randomized trials in intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism, and practical guidance on integrating echocardiography with right heart catheterization in pulmonary hypertension. A conversation on AI in COPD care and a small randomized trial of curcumin in COPD rounded out the day.

Check out our rundown of the top 6 headlines from day 3.

CHEST 2026 Day 3 Highlights in COPD, Pulmonary Embolism, and Pulmonary Hypertension

1. Tozorakimab Sustains COPD Exacerbation Benefit to 2 Years, With Henrik Watz, MD
An integrated analysis of the phase 3 OBERON and TITANIA trials and the PROSPERO extension compared tozorakimab, an investigational anti-IL-33 monoclonal antibody, with placebo for up to 104 weeks. The primary end point of severe exacerbations in former smokers narrowly missed statistical significance (RR, 0.79; P = .0587). In the overall population, tozorakimab was nominally associated with fewer moderate-to-severe exacerbations (1.43 vs 2.05 per year; RR, 0.70) and fewer exacerbations requiring a hospital visit (RR, 0.69). Adverse event rates were similar between groups.

2. Frespaciguat Misses 6MWD End Point in PH-COPD, With Gabor Kovacs, MD, PhD
In the phase 2a INSIGNIA PH-COPD trial of 128 patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with COPD, inhaled frespaciguat did not significantly improve 6-minute walk distance at 24 weeks, with a difference of about 7 m vs placebo. Gabor Kovacs, MD, PhD, of the Medical University of Graz, reported nominal improvements in NT-proBNP and in 6-minute walk distance at an earlier time point, with no safety concerns. He said there is no direct path to phase 3, and investigators will use the data to refine end points for future PH-COPD trials.

3. Weighing Bleeding Risk in Pulmonary Embolism, With Samantha Pettigrew, MD
Samantha Pettigrew, MD, of Temple University Hospital, reviewed new randomized trials in acute intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism. In STRATIFY, low-dose thrombolysis reduced clot burden vs heparin alone. In STORM-PE, computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy improved 6-minute walk distance at 90 days (479 m vs 368 m). She cautioned that imaging end points do not establish clinical benefit and urged clinicians to weigh bleeding risk and functional recovery when choosing advanced therapies.

4. Pair Echo with Right Heart Catheterization in PH, With Anjali Vaidya, MD
Anjali Vaidya, MD, of Temple University, said accurate diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension depends on combining right heart catheterization with echocardiography rather than relying on either test alone. She reviewed technical pitfalls in catheterization, including leveling, zeroing, and respiratory variation. She also described her group’s Virtual Echocardiography Screening Tool, which uses a routine echo report to help estimate whether a patient is more likely to have pulmonary arterial hypertension or left heart disease hemodynamics.

5. AI and Emerging Technologies in COPD Care, With Jean Bourbeau, MD
Jean Bourbeau, MD, of McGill University, discussed the new chapter on AI and emerging technologies in the 2026 GOLD report. He covered potential uses in diagnosis, remote monitoring, and post-discharge care, along with investigational imaging, blood, and voice biomarkers. He cautioned that most applications still need validation and that many commercial tools draw on general knowledge rather than clinical guidelines.

6. Q&A: Curcumin Lowers IL-17 in COPD, With Retno Ariza Soemarwoto, MD
A triple-blind randomized trial of 68 men with COPD found curcumin 1 g/day for 60 days lowered serum IL-17 from 71.85 to 20.08 pg/mL, while levels rose in the placebo group (P <.001 between groups). The investigators said baseline imbalances between groups warrant cautious interpretation and called for larger multicenter trials that include clinical outcomes.

Catch up on day 1 of CHEST 2026, day 2, and the late-breakers preview for more coverage from Phoenix.