ICYMI: Highlights From ATS 2024

Our top coverage from this year’s American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2024 International Conference featured late-breaking data on innovative treatments for various disease states, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coverage of a session on disparities within respiratory medicine, and more.

The top 5 most-viewed content from this year's American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2024 International Conference featured an interview with Monica Kraft, MD, ASTF, and coverage on multiple areas of respiratory and pulmonary medicine. | Image Credit: ATS - news.thoracic.org

Here are highlights from the ATS 2024 International Conference; click here to catch up on all our coverage.

5. Dr Monica Kraft Reveals Link Between Preexisting Type 2 Inflammation, PASC Severity

In an on-site interview with Monica Kraft, MD, ASTF, system chair for the department of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, she shared insights on her findings regarding the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients previously diagnosed with and/or treated for COVID-19. Her research presented at ATS 2024 emphasized the greater burden some post-acute sequelae (PASC) symptoms have depending on the presence or absence of type 2 inflammation.

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4. ATS 2024 Review: Innovative Treatments and Health Equity Take Center Stage

This article recapped major respiratory medicine advancements discussed at ATS 2024. Key studies presented at this year's conference showcased the efficacy of therapies like amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS), tezepelumab, and dupilumab in treating patients with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MACLD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and COPD with type 2 inflammation, respectively. Also, during the various scientific sessions, experts emphasized the role of artificial intelligence (AI), historical ventilation innovations, and equitable health care delivery in shaping the future of respiratory care.

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3. Experts Explore Barriers to Diversity in Respiratory Medicine Trials and Diagnostic Tools

During a scientific session, experts discussed the disparities affecting various respiratory medicine areas. They highlighted the underrepresentation of minority groups in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) trials, along with the racial inaccuracies of diagnostic tools like pulse oximetry, which disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic patients. The experts emphasized the need to address these issues by improving data diversity, revising regulatory standards, and updating diagnostic tools. Additionally, they identified crucial steps for improving health outcomes in minority populations, including building trust, ensuring equitable clinical practices, and advancing diagnostic techniques.

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2. ATS Data Support Triple Therapy FF/UMEC/VI as Preferred Option for COPD

Two abstracts presented at ATS 2024 demonstrated the benefits of prompt single-inhaler triple therapy (FF/UMEC/VI) initiation and improved adherence among patients with COPD. One abstract, “An Investigation on the Effects of Prompt Versus Delayed Initiation of FF/UMEC/VI Single-Inhaler Triple Therapy Among Patients With COPD in the United States,” found that initiating triple therapy within 30 days significantly reduced COPD exacerbations, health care costs, and hospital readmissions. Similarly, the other abstract, “Adherence and Persistence with FF/UMEC/VI Among Patients With COPD: A Real-World United States Study,” determined that the once-daily dosing regimen of triple therapy improved patient persistence and adherence, suggesting it may be a preferred option for managing COPD.

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1. Late-Breaking Data From Clinical Trials Show Promise for the Future of COPD Treatment

This article summarized late-breaking data from 3 clinical trials on promising treatments for patients with MACLD or COPD. First, the ARISE study found that ALIS, combined with azithromycin and ethambutol, significantly improved culture conversion rates and symptom scores in patients with MACLD. Also, the COURSE study showed that tezepelumab reduced COPD exacerbations and improved lung function and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Similarly, the phase 3 NOTUS trial demonstrated that dupilumab significantly reduced COPD exacerbations and improved lung function and quality of life in patients with COPD and type 2 inflammation.

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