In 2024, the Temple Lung Center remained at the forefront of advancements in lung health, offering exceptional patient care, pioneering research to improve the prevention and treatment of lung diseases, and serving as a center of teaching with education and training programs for the next generation of pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons. Read on to learn some key ways we advanced lung research and care this past year.

Gold-Standard Screening for Lung Disease

Effective screening remains one of the best ways to catch lung diseases early when they are most treatable. This year, we improved our screening program by implementing simultaneous low-dose CT and spirometry testing so that we can look for signs of COPD and other chest conditions during lung cancer screening appointments. This dual screening process represents the gold standard of care and can lead to earlier, more appropriate treatments and better outcomes for patients.

Driving Advances Through Clinical Research

Our clinical research program continued to lead the way in 2024, making strides in changing the treatment landscape for the full spectrum of lung diseases. We were the top national enroller in the FIBRONEER clinical trial, a study evaluating the safety and efficacy of nerandomilast, a potentially breakthrough idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drug. In September, this study became the first IPF phase III trial to meet its primary endpoint. At the same time, we’re continuing our work on a number of trials focusing on targeted therapies for patients with ILD and moderate to severe COPD, and our new, streamlined scheduling process is making it easier than ever for patients to participate and access these treatment options.

Providing Exceptional COPD Care

Temple remains at the forefront of COPD research and care, with an array of advanced treatment options that enable us to treat sicker patients who may have been denied care elsewhere. In September, we presented the first long-term follow-up data from the LIBERATE study, showing that the benefits of the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve, a minimally invasive treatment for severe emphysema, persist for at least five years. We also recently performed the first US-based procedure of the CONVERT II trial, an innovative approach that targets and treats fissural defects that cause collateral ventilation between lobes, potentially helping more patients qualify for BLVR treatment.

Leaders in Lung Transplants

Our lung transplant program remains a referral destination for the most complex and high-risk cases, including multi-organ transplants and patients who may not meet standard eligibility criteria. At the same time, we’ve continued to surpass national benchmarks, with a one-year survival rate of over 90%, compared to the national average of 85%. Our three-year survival rate stands at almost 79%, four points higher than the national average

Thank you for your support of the Temple Lung Center in 2024, and we look forward to continued growth and partnership in the coming years.

Gerard J. Criner, MD, FACP, FACCP

Chair, Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Director, Temple Lung Center