Lung Fibrosis

The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine the impact of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program with health coaching on patient-reported respiratory-related quality of life and physical activity, as compared to usual care in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently accompanied by airway mucus plugs, which are closely associated with airflow obstruction, acute exacerbations, and increased mortality. However, whether mucus plugs contribute to secondary pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. This single-center, prospective, case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between airway mucus plugs and lung fibrosis in patients with COPD undergoing lung cancer surgery. During surgery, distal non-tumorous lung tissues and airway mucus will be collected for histological and molecular analyses. Mucus plug burden will be quantified using AB-PAS staining, and fibrosis will be assessed using Masson staining. Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, fibrotic markers, and the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 will also be measured. COPD patients (FEV₁/FVC \<0.70) will be compared with non-COPD surgical controls. The study aims to clarify whether mucus plugs are associated with increased fibrosis and to explore the potential involvement of mechanical-signaling pathways, including Piezo1 activation. Findings may provide new clinical and pathological evidence for mucus-induced fibrotic remodeling in COPD and help identify novel therapeutic targets.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) results from a diverse group of health conditions and affects the lives of patients (including those who are post lung transplant), caregivers and family members. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Community Registry will offer an online portal where participants can self-enroll and directly contribute information about their experience with PF to be compiled into a longitudinal data set for use by researchers.

Following whole blood stimulation with mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes, immune phenotype, cytokine release and mRNA expression patterns from critically ill patients with COVID-19 will be determined.

To evaluate the effect of an anti-fibrotic treatment initiation on the fibrotic activity as assessed by FAPI PET/CT.