IPF is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by irreversible lung scarring, leading to exertional dyspnea and a gradual decline in pulmonary function. Its pathogenesis involves multiple mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, aberrant cytokine signaling, and alveolar epithelial injury. Currently, IPF remains incurable, and treatment primarily aims to slow disease progression and improve survival. This paper systematically reviews recent clinical trials of novel IPF drug therapies that have demonstrated promising efficacy, aiming to inform future drug development.

Inhaled epoprostenol has remained an attractive and viable option for the delivery of prostacyclin to offset abnormalities in ventilation and perfusion mismatch while minimizing the typical adverse effects associated with systemic administration. There is a need to better understand pharmacologic properties of inhaled epoprostenol and its application to diseases affecting the cardiopulmonary system. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of inhaled epoprostenol and outline its use specifically in the medical management of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and pulmonary vascular disease. Among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome who ultimately required invasive ventilation, inhaled epoprostenol has not improved ventilator-free days, intensive care unit length of stay, or mortality. However, it may be beneficial in certain select patient populations. In the management of pulmonary hypertension, inhaled epoprostenol has allowed for continued maintenance of chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapy and for possibly improving right ventricular function as an attractive option in the critical care management of pulmonary hypertension.

The introduction of biologics therapies targeting specific cytokines relevant to asthma pathophysiology has changed the landscape in the treatment of severe asthma in both adults and children. However, the availability of multiple agents, inclusion criteria for randomised control trials (RCTs), variation in national and international guidelines, instances of treatment failures, and the potential of switching or combining biologic therapies, highlight the need for real-world evidence. Data from real-world studies of biologics in severe asthma may complement efficacy data obtained from RCTs and provide important post-marketing safety information. Additionally, these studies may help inform the design of future clinical trials, characterise the natural history of the disease, and support important translational research. This review highlights current evidence for the combination and switching of biologics in severe asthma and comorbid diseases that may serve as pointers for optimal clinical outcomes.

A high prevalence of smoking among idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients increases the risk of emphysema. Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) occurs predominantly in males, characterized by severe exercise-induced dyspnea, decreased diffusing capacity, and increased lung cancer risk. The exclusion of CPFE patients from clinical studies has limited understanding of its pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis. This study aimed to close this knowledge gap by comparing CPFE with pure IPF in animal models, with the intent of developing phenotype-directed therapeutic strategies.

Biologics for asthma and related conditions target distinct immunologic pathways but may have differential effects on glucose metabolism. Emerging real-world evidence suggests a need to evaluate potential associations with diabetes mellitus (DM) and related metabolic adverse events (AEs).

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, with current chemotherapy limited by poor drug delivery, toxicity, and resistance. To overcome these challenges, we developed a dry powder inhaler (DPI) system incorporating a PLGA-PEG-LHRH (PPL) nanoconjugate (NC) for enhanced delivery. Curcumin (CUR), with known anticancer and P-gp inhibition properties, was co-loaded with bcl2 siRNA (bclsR) to target bcl2 protein and combat resistance mechanisms. The CUR and bclsR-loaded PLGA NC (172.12 ± 24.23 nm) were prepared using double emulsion solvent evaporation (DESE) method and converted into DPI using a carbohydrate carrier, showing a mass mean aerodynamic diameter of 4.62 μm and fine particle fraction of 65.39 ± 0.19 %, ideal for lung delivery. Animal studies showed that DPI delivered via tracheal administration in lung cancer models exhibited superior anticancer effects compared to free CUR, particularly in terms of pathological improvements and upregulation of cancer markers like P53 and TNF-α. In vivo biodistribution studies in tumor-bearing mice revealed higher CUR concentrations in plasma (326.85 ± 6.17 μg) and lungs (207.03 ± 4.11 μg), with enhanced systemic exposure as indicated by higher AUC and Cmax values. These findings suggest that CUR-siRNA loaded DPI could provide an effective therapeutic approach for lung cancer.

Kushenol, a monomeric compound, was extracted from the roots of the medicinal plant Sophora flavescens. To explore the activity of Kushenol A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot were performed. A xenograft mouse model was established. Our results demonstrated that Kushenol A treatment significantly enhanced the killing effect of radiation on NSCLC cells. Co-treatment with radiation and Kushenol A markedly reduced cell viability, increased intracellular ROS levels, and elevated the proportion of apoptotic cells compared to NSCLC cells treated with radiation alone. Animal experiments further confirmed that radiation therapy with simultaneous Kushenol A administration suppressed tumor growth and improved radiotherapy sensitivity compared to mice treated with radiation alone. Furthermore, Kushenol A did not produce significant toxic damage to the major organs of mice. Mechanistically, radiation therapy combined with Kushenol A treatment significantly upregulated protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-9, leading to Bax translocation from the cytoplasm to mitochondria. Concurrently, Kushenol A treatment reduced NRF2 levels in the cytoplasm, thereby promoting an increase in ROS levels. Notably, Kushenol A enhanced tumor radiosensitivity by targeted inhibition of Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). Taken together, our findings suggested that cotreatment with Kushenol A and radiation promoted the entry of Bax into mitochondria and activated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Kushenol A exhibited targeted inhibition of IDO1, enhancing the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer to radiotherapy.

Clinical remission (CR) has emerged as a potential therapeutic goal in patients with severe asthma eligible for biologic agents. However, its impact on long-term outcomes in asthma patients managed with maintenance inhaler therapy remains unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated adult asthma patients on maintenance inhalers to investigate the long-term outcomes associated with achieving CR. CR was defined as at least one year without exacerbations, well-controlled symptoms, no use of systemic corticosteroids, and stable lung function, assessed two years after asthma diagnosis. We compared the trajectory of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) and the annual rate of exacerbations between CR and non-CR groups in a 1:1 propensity score-matched population. Among 549 patients followed for a median of 7 years, 88 (16 %) met the criteria for CR. After matching, 76 patients were included in each group. Compared to the non-CR group, the CR group showed a significantly lower proportion of patients with annual FEV decline exceeding 60 mL (8.6 % vs. 25 %, P = 0.010). A linear mixed-effects model showed that the CR group had a significantly slower rate of FEV1 decline, with an annual difference of 32.7 mL (95 % CI 6.7 to 58.7; P = 0.014) compared with the non-CR group. The CR group also had a lower annual rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations (0.17 events/year [IQR 0, 0.37] vs. 0.42 events/year [IQR 0, 1], P = 0.007). In conclusion, achieving CR in asthma patients receiving maintenance inhaler therapy was associated with a slower decline in lung function and fewer exacerbations. These findings support the potential role of CR as a long-term therapeutic goal.

In this study, we investigated the functional interplay between bradykinin receptors and the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channel in a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Lung and bronchoalveolar lavages were collected at 6 and 24 h after the induction of ALI and evaluated for changes in body weight, inflammatory marker levels, lung injury, and TRPV1 expression. Pretreatments with a TRPV1 antagonist (capsazepine) or B and B receptor antagonists, i.e., DALBK and HOE 140, respectively, were evaluated in this ALI mouse model. The histological score revealed higher levels of lung injury in mice treated with LPS (5 and 10 mg/kg), assessed at both 6 and 24 h, compared to the vehicle-treated group. A loss of body weight was observed within 24 h of ALI induction. Furthermore, collagen deposition, pulmonary oedema, leukocyte influx, and increased cytokine levels were also observed following LPS administration. Pretreatment with capsazepine, DALBK, or HOE 140 not only reversed all inflammatory parameters but also prevented the increased expression of TRPV1 observed in the lungs of mice subjected LPS-induced ALI. Our data suggest that, following LPS-induced ALI, bradykinin activates both B and B receptors associated with the subsequent activation of TRPV1. These findings suggest that bradykinin can activate both B and B receptors, which may contribute functionally to TRPV1 upregulation and activation during LPS-induced ALI. This novel pathway appears to sustain inflammation, offering a new therapeutic target for ALI and ARDS.

Antibiotics are commonly administered during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) to manage infections and alleviate their symptoms. However, their use may result in adverse drug events (ADEs), potentially compromising patient safety and treatment effectiveness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) provides valuable data for identifying such risks. This study aimed to analyze FAERS data to detect ADE signals associated with antibiotic use in patients with AECOPD, thereby supporting safer clinical practices.

To investigate whether FTO-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylation affects the proliferative/apoptotic phenotype of mouse pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects multiple organs, with clinical manifestations, disease progression, and response to therapy varying among individuals. This effect is mainly caused by mutations in the gene encoding for the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cAMP-regulated chloride channel. In recent decades, other genes and their allelic variants, beyond CFTR mutations, have been proposed as genetic modifiers of CF phenotype. For instance, different polymorphic β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) polymorphic variants have been reported in CF individuals and appear to influence correct receptor function. β2AR belongs to the βAR family, which includes three subtypes: β1AR, β2AR, and β3AR. These receptors are crucial G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in various cell types and serve as key modulators of cAMP production, making their function particularly relevant in CF pathophysiology. β2AR is abundantly expressed in airway epithelial and smooth muscle cells, and studies revealed that it plays a crucial role in modulating CFTR activity and smooth muscle contractility through cAMP signaling. For these reasons, β2-agonists are widely used in clinical healthcare to treat patients with obstructive airway disorders, including CF. Emerging evidence has also supported a role for β3AR, which is expressed in the canine and human bronchial epithelium and have been reported to enhance ciliary motility and regulate CFTR function, making it a potential therapeutic target in CF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by aberrant tissue remodeling and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. Emerging evidence underscores the critical role of the immunometabolism in the pathogenesis of IPF, highlighting how dysregulated metabolic pathways modulate immune responses and contribute to fibrotic progression. Key molecular regulators such as PPARG (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma) and SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1), along with signaling pathways including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), orchestrate immune cell polarization, fibroblast activation, and extracellular matrix production. These insights reveal promising therapeutic targets at the intersection of metabolism and immunity. This review synthesizes current findings on immunometabolism interactions in IPF, emphasizing the potential of metabolic reprogramming and immune modulation as novel treatment strategies. Despite substantial advances, significant challenges persist in elucidating the precise mechanisms underlying these interactions and translating preclinical insights into effective clinical interventions. Future research should prioritize the identification of actionable metabolic biomarkers, refinement of molecular targets, and development of personalized therapeutic approaches. Addressing these gaps may pave the way for innovative therapies capable of halting or even reversing fibrosis, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with IPF.

Current GOLD guidelines recommend initial dual therapy with a LABA and LAMA for COPD patients with a high risk of exacerbations (at least two moderate or one severe exacerbation in the previous 12 months), with Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) added for specific phenotypes or continued exacerbations. Systemic corticosteroids (SCS) are advised for severe exacerbations, but cumulative SCS exposure is linked to significant adverse outcomes such as endocrine disorders and pneumonia. Studies suggest that after limited exacerbations, COPD patients may exhaust their "SCS credit," increasing their risk of severe comorbidities. Earlier initiation of triple therapy in high-risk, symptomatic patients shows substantial benefits, including improved quality of life, compared to standard care. Like asthma management, SCS exposure in COPD should be minimised, and precision medicine should guide early triple therapy to preserve SCS use for future exacerbations.

Epithelial barrier failure, a feature of several inflammatory lung diseases, contributes to exacerbations and disease progression. Acute exacerbations are often treated with macrolides, including azithromycin (AZM). In part, this is due to both primary antimicrobial and additional immunomodulatory actions, complemented by recently reported enhanced integrity of respiratory epithelial barriers. However, long-term "off label" use of macrolides is associated with increased bacterial resistance. We now introduce a new class of compounds, "Barriolides" that are analogues of AZM promoting airway epithelial barrier integrity in vitro, with negligible antibacterial activity. The lead compound is EP395 which does not affect cell viability up to 100 μM in VA10 bronchial epithelial cells. Treatment with EP395 for three weeks enhanced epithelial barrier integrity, measured by increased transepithelial electrical resistance, reduced paracellular flux in air-liquid interface culture and increased expression of tight junction proteins. EP395 also induced epidermal differentiation and formation of lamellar bodies, complemented by a relevant genetic footprint. In mice exposed to sulphur dioxide, pre-treatment with EP395 reduced extravasation of human serum albumin into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These data demonstrate epithelial barrier-protecting effects of EP395, a promising candidate for treatment of chronic respiratory diseases without risk of bacterial resistance.

Icaritin, a bioactive phytomolecule derived from Epimedium flavonoids (EFs), has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and pro-apoptotic properties. However, its potential mechanisms in asthma airway inflammation have not been elucidated. In this study, Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were used to illustrate the effects and mechanisms of Icaritin on airway inflammation. Specific airway resistance (sRAW) was used to detect the airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and periodic acid schiff (PAS) were used to detect the pathological changes. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to detect the airway inflammatory cells. Serum and supernatants were used to detect the cytokines. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of TLR4, p-65, p-p65, IκBα, and p-IκBα. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the cell viability. Icaritin suppressed AHR, attenuated eosinophilic infiltration and mucus hypersecretion, and significantly reduced the levels of OVA-specific cytokines in asthmatic mice. Moreover, Icaritin inhibited TLR4 expression, decreased phosphorylation of IκBα, and reduced NF-κB p65 activation in lung tissue of asthmatic mice. Further mechanistic studies showed that Icaritin reduces TLR4-induced inflammatory factor expression and blocks TLR4-activated NF-κB pathway in BEAS-2B cells. These findings demonstrate for the first time that Icaritin suppresses airway inflammation in asthma by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for asthma.

EP395, a macrolide with negligible antimicrobial activity but with anti-inflammatory effects in murine lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge model, is being developed as a potential treatment to reduce COPD exacerbations. This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study evaluated the pharmacodynamics of EP395 in response to inhaled LPS, an established clinical model for assessing anti-inflammatory effects of potential new treatments. Forty-nine healthy, non-smoking participants were randomised to oral 375 mg EP395 or placebo, daily for 3 weeks. An inhaled LPS challenge (2 μg) was then given, followed 6 h later by bronchoscopy for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection. Blood samples were collected pre, 6 and 24 h after LPS challenge. BALF concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MCP-1 were lower with EP395 than placebo, while IL-33, IL-8, and IL-1β were higher with EP395 than placebo (not statistically significant). Neutrophil counts were unaffected, but neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase were higher with EP395 than placebo (not statistically significant). Serum concentrations of surfactant protein-D significantly increased in the EP395 group in response to LPS at both 6 and 24 h compared with pre-LPS (mean pre-LPS 148.8 ng/mL; mean 24 h post-LPS 183.0 ng/mL) but not in the placebo group (mean pre-LPS 142.4 ng/mL; mean 24 h post-LPS 142.4 ng/mL). The log transformed fold difference in the EP395 group, before and 24 h after LPS challenge was 0.33 (95 % CI 0.52, 0.14; p = 0.0007). EP395 treatment increased the host defence response to inhaled LPS, including the epithelial response, whilst reducing inflammatory site pro-inflammatory mediators.

Though cigarette smoke (CS) is primary risk factor for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rising air pollution and higher concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air contribute substantially to COPD cases, particularly in smokers. However, the pathogenesis of COPD upon dual exposure to CS and PM is not entirely known. Therefore, the impact of combined exposure to CS (9 cigarettes/day for 4 days) and PM (single dose of 50 μg) on COPD pathogenesis was examined using mouse model in order to understand the key players behind the process. The data suggest that single exposure to PM in CS pre-exposed mice triggered a strong inflammatory response, marked by switch from macrophage to neutrophilic inflammation, leading to severe deterioration in lung function compared to single hits. Furthermore, combined exposure led to robust increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (G-CSF/KC/MCP-1/TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6) in BALF as compared to the respective individual exposure. Interestingly, Oleanolic acid (OA) treatment protects against CS + PM-induced COPD-like pulmonary inflammation potentially by exerting antioxidant properties as reflected by data on BALF inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils and various oxidative stress markers such as ROS/LPO/GSH/SOD/Catalase in lung tissue. Suppressed inflammation was associated with downregulation of gene expression of pro-inflammatory factors namely IL-1β, TNF-α, MIP-2 and normalization of proteinase-antiproteinase balance by downregulating gene expression of MMP-9 with simultaneous upregulation of its inhibitor TIMP-1. Reduced inflammatory response upon OA treatment correlates well with improved lung function. Overall, PM exposure flares up the CS-induced lung inflammation linked to COPD, which is effectively ameliorated by OA.

Macrolide antibiotics have been shown to reduce exacerbations of respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. This effect is believed to be due to the immunomodulatory properties of macrolides rather than their antimicrobial activity. However, prolonged use of macrolide antibiotics can result in the development of antimicrobial resistance, which prompted us to develop EP395, a compound with similar pharmacological actions to macrolides, but without antimicrobial activity. We investigated EP395 in several established models of neutrophilic airway inflammation in male BALB/c mice. Oral pretreatment with EP395 for 2 weeks had significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing cytokines and neutrophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) induced by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tobacco smoke or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). EP395 had comparable inhibitory effects to azithromycin in all three models. The PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast, was also included as a positive control in the LPS model, with comparable effects on neutrophil numbers. In vitro assays on neutrophil function revealed both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of treatment with EP395. These data demonstrate the beneficial pharmacological activity of EP395, a macrolide with negligible antimicrobial activity, in models of acute neutrophilic inflammation and on neutrophil activity and supported its progression into clinical development as a potential treatment for COPD.