Pulmonology Month in Review: June 2025

In June, asthma care and respiratory medicine were marked by pivotal updates, including new data reinforcing best practices and highlighting potential therapeutic breakthroughs across multiple respiratory and immune-mediated conditions. This month’s news underscores the importance of optimizing asthma management strategies, advancing biologic therapies for chronic airway diseases, and exploring novel interventions for challenging pulmonary disorders.

Among the key developments, a comprehensive meta-analysis confirmed the dangers of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) overuse, strengthening support for inhaled corticosteroid-based regimens. In chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and coexisting asthma, dupilumab proved superior to omalizumab in the EVEREST trial, setting a new benchmark for biologic therapy. Positive interim and phase 2b results from trials of efzofitimod and treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder demonstrated encouraging efficacy signals for systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension, respectively.

Check out this June 2025 pulmonology month in review for a recap of HCPLive’s coverage of the top pulmonary news and research from the past few weeks:

New Investigations in Asthma

EVEREST: Dupilumab (Dupixent) Outperforms Omalizumab (Xolair) for CRSwNP, Asthma

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi announced positive phase 4 EVEREST trial results demonstrating dupilumab’s (Dupixent) superiority over omalizumab (Xolair) for treating severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and coexisting asthma. Based on data showing dupilumab’s significant advantages across all primary and secondary CRSwNP and asthma-related endpoints, the findings support its ability to improve nasal obstruction, sense of smell, symptom scores, and lung function. The EVEREST trial represents the first head-to-head respiratory biologic comparison, reinforcing dupilumab’s role in targeting type 2 inflammation through IL-4 and IL-13 inhibition. Safety profiles of dupilumab and omalizumab were generally comparable, with similar rates of adverse events observed between treatment groups.

SABA Overuse Linked to Increased Mortality, Acute Exacerbations in Asthma

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine announced results from a systematic review and meta-analysis confirming that short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) overuse is linked to increased mortality and acute exacerbations in asthma patients. Based on pooled data from 27 studies, including randomized trials and cohort studies, the analysis found SABA overuse significantly raised the risk of severe asthma outcomes, supporting global guidelines discouraging SABA monotherapy and instead reinforcing recommendations for inhaled corticosteroid-based therapies. Investigators emphasized the need for further research on mechanisms of harm and strategies to reduce SABA overuse in asthma care.

ACT-Based Parenting Improves Management of Pediatric Asthma With Comorbid ADHD

The Chinese University of Hong Kong announced results of a randomized clinical trial demonstrating that an acceptance and commitment therapy–based parenting program (ACT-PAM) improved outcomes for children with asthma and comorbid ADHD. Based on data from 118 parent-child pairs, ACT-PAM combined with standard asthma care significantly reduced unscheduled health care visits, improved asthma control scores, and decreased ADHD symptoms compared to standard care alone. The intervention also enhanced parental psychological flexibility and asthma management self-efficacy, suggesting benefits beyond child symptom control.

Research Picks Up for Rare Diseases

TPIP Boasts Significant Outcome Improvements for PAH in Phase 2b

Insmed announced positive phase 2b results for treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP), meeting its primary endpoint of significantly reducing pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Based on findings from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, TPIP treatment led to notable improvements in exercise capacity and biomarkers of heart strain, supporting its potential as an effective once-daily prostanoid therapy. Safety analysis showed TPIP was generally well tolerated despite higher rates of common prostanoid-related adverse events like cough and headache. Insmed plans to initiate phase 3 trials for TPIP in PAH and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease starting later this year and into early 2026.

Efzofitimod Shows Promising Early Efficacy in Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease

aTyr announced interim data from the ongoing Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT™ trial showing early signs of clinical efficacy for efzofitimod in patients with diffuse and limited systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Based on interim analysis of eight patients, efzofitimod treatment led to stable or improved modified Rodnan Skin Scores (mRSS), with most diffuse SSc-ILD patients achieving clinically meaningful mRSS improvements by week 12. Additional preliminary findings showed encouraging trends in reductions of inflammatory and disease-related serum biomarkers, supporting potential systemic benefits. Efzofitimod was generally safe and well tolerated across dose groups with no treatment-related serious adverse events observed.