Pulmonology Month in Review: May 2025

In May, the field of pulmonology witnessed significant advancements in the management of chronic respiratory diseases, highlighted by new clinical trial data presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference. These developments spanned a range of conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and pulmonary sarcoidosis, offering promising insights into emerging therapies and treatment strategies.

Notably, methotrexate emerged as a potential alternative to prednisone for pulmonary sarcoidosis, demonstrating comparable disease control with potentially fewer side effects. In COPD management, dupilumab showed sustained improvements in lung function among patients with type 2 inflammation, while ensifentrine monotherapy improved dyspnea and health-related quality of life in those not on long-acting maintenance therapy. For IPF, taladegib (ENV-101) was associated with reductions in pulmonary vessel volume, and nerandomilast met primary endpoints in phase 3 trials for both IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. In asthma treatment, rademikibart provided rapid lung function improvements within 24 hours, and long-term dupilumab therapy led to sustained asthma control over 2 years. Additionally, real-world data highlighted the common yet often insufficient use of glucocorticoids in pulmonary sarcoidosis, underscoring the need for alternative therapies

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

Improving Outcomes in COPD

Dupilumab Enhances Lung Function in COPD Patients with Type 2 Inflammation

Pooled data from the phase 3 BOREAS and NOTUS trials, presented at ATS 2025, demonstrate that dupilumab significantly improves lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by type 2 inflammation. As a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 pathways, dupilumab offers a targeted approach for this COPD subgroup, marking a potential advancement in personalized treatment strategies.

Ensifentrine Monotherapy Improves Dyspnea and Quality of Life in COPD

A recent study highlights that nebulized ensifentrine, a non-steroidal therapy, effectively improves dyspnea, reduces COPD symptoms, and enhances health-related quality of life in patients not on long-acting COPD medications. The treatment also decreased the need for rescue medication, suggesting its potential as a monotherapy option for individuals with moderate-to-severe COPD.

Investigational Therapies Shine for IPF

Taladegib (ENV-101) Shows Promise in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Phase 2a data presented at ATS 2025 reveal that taladegib (ENV-101) may be the first therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to demonstrate a reduction in pulmonary vessel volume. This finding provides new insights into the treatment of IPF, indicating that taladegib could offer a novel mechanism of action targeting vascular remodeling in the disease.

Nerandomilast Beneficial for Patients with IPF and PPF

Late-breaking phase 3 results from the FIBRONEER-IPF and FIBRONEER-ILD studies indicate that nerandomilast met its primary endpoints in treating both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). These findings suggest that nerandomilast, an investigational oral PDE4B inhibitor, could be a promising therapeutic option for patients with fibrotic lung diseases.

Keeping Asthma Controlled

Rademikibart Rapidly Improves Lung Function in Asthma Patients

Data presented at ATS 2025 show that rademikibart leads to rapid improvements in lung function within 24 hours of the first dose in patients with asthma. These improvements were sustained over time, highlighting rademikibart's potential as a fast-acting therapeutic option for individuals with type 2 inflammation-associated asthma.

Long-Term Dupilumab Treatment Sustains Asthma Improvements

Real-world data presented at ATS 2025 indicate that dupilumab therapy leads to sustained improvements in lung function, asthma control, quality of life, and a reduction in exacerbations over a 2-year period in patients with severe asthma. Notably, over half of the treated patients achieved remission within 1 to 2 years, highlighting dupilumab's potential for long-term disease management.

Alternatives to Steroids in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Methotrexate as an Alternative to Prednisone in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Recent findings presented at the 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference suggest that methotrexate may serve as an effective alternative to prednisone for treating pulmonary sarcoidosis. While prednisone is commonly used as initial therapy, its use is often accompanied by various adverse effects. The new data indicate that methotrexate offers similar disease control with potentially fewer side effects, providing a viable option for patients who experience complications with corticosteroids.

Glucocorticoid Use Common but Often Insufficient in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

A study presented at ATS 2025 reveals that while glucocorticoids are commonly used to treat pulmonary sarcoidosis with parenchymal involvement, many patients require additional therapies. The findings underscore the need for alternative treatment strategies, as reliance on glucocorticoids alone may not provide adequate disease control for all patients.