Calcineurin inhibitor ( CNI ) therapy after lung transplantation increases risk of kidney failure. Early everolimus‐based quadruple low CNI immunosuppression may improve renal function without compromising efficacy or safety. A prospective, randomized, open‐label, 12‐month multicenter trial was conducted at 8 German sites. Patients 3‐18 months after lung transplantation were randomized (1:1), stratified by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR ). In the quadruple low CNI regimen, patients received everolimus (target trough level 3‐5 ng/mL) with reduced CNI (tacrolimus 3‐5 ng/mL or cyclosporine 25‐75 ng/mL) and a cell cycle inhibitor plus prednisone. In the standard triple CNI regimen, patients received tacrolimus (target trough level >5 ng/mL) or cyclosporine (>100 ng/mL) and a cell cycle inhibitor plus prednisone. Of the 180 patients screened, 130 were randomized: 67 in the quadruple low CNI group and 63 in the standard triple CNI group. The primary endpoint ( eGFR after 12 months) demonstrated superiority of the quadruple low CNI regimen: 64.5 mL/min vs 54.6 mL/min for the standard triple group (least squares mean, analysis of covariance; P < .001). Key efficacy parameters (biopsy‐proven acute rejection, chronic lung allograft dysfunction, and death) and safety endpoints were similar between both groups. Quadruple low CNI immunosuppression early after lung transplantation was demonstrated to be efficacious and safe. Clinical trials registry: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 01404325.

Background Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycoprotein that has been associated with inflammation and fibrosis. Severe refractory asthma (SRA) is characterised by an intense inflammatory and remodelling process. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of OPN in sputum supernatants of patients with SRA, to compare them with milder forms of the disease and to investigate their possible association with mediators and cells involved in the inflammatory and remodelling process. Methods 33 patients with SRA, 29 with moderate asthma, 21 with steroid-naïve asthma and 20 healthy subjects were studied. All subjects underwent lung function tests, bronchial hyper-responsiveness assessment and sputum induction for cell count identification and measurement of OPN, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1), cysteinyl leukotrienes, interleukin 13 (IL-13), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and IL-8 in sputum supernatants. Results Median (IQR) OPN levels (pg/ml) were significantly higher in patients with SRA than in those with moderate asthma, steroid-naive asthma and healthy control subjects (1840 (1125e11000) vs 130 (100e210) vs 100 (67e130) vs 50 (42e70), respectively, p<0.001). Regression analysis showed a significant association between log OPN and sputum eosinophils, cysteinyl leukotrienes, IL-13, TGF-b1 and ECP. TGF-b1 represented the strongest association with OPN. The above associations were not observed in milder forms of the disease or in healthy subjects. Conclusions The results indicate that OPN levels are higher in SRA than in less severe forms of the disease. Moreover, OPN is associated with mediators involved in both the inflammatory and remodelling process such as TGF-b1, IL-13 and cysteinyl leukotrienes only in SRA.

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COPD is a disease characterised by a chronic inflammation of the airways and a not fully reversible airway obstruction. The spirometry is considered as goldstandard to diagnose the disease and to grade its severity. In this study we used the methodology of Ion Mobility Spectometry in order to detect Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath of patients with COPD. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the VOCs detected in patients with COPD were different from the VOCs detected in exhaled breath of healthy controls. 13 COPD patients and 33 healthy controls were included in the study. Breath samples were collected via a side-steam Teflon tube and directly measured by an ion mobility spectrometer coupled to a multi capillary column (MCC/ IMS). One peak was identified only in the patients group compared to the healthy control group. Consequently, the analysis of exhaled breath could be a useful tool to diagnose COPD.

EBC pH and FeNO levels were significantly lower in asthmatic smokers compared with non-smokers. Combined specific cut-off levels for FeNO and EBC pH may predict the paucigranulocytic phenotype in asthmatic smokers.

Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the major threat for immunocompromised individuals. The course of COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients in the Omicron era remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess outcome and associated factors in lung transplant recipients in a German-wide multicenter approach. Methods All affected individuals from January 1st to March 20th, 2022 from 8 German centers during the Omicron wave were collected. Baseline characteristics and antiviral measures were associated with outcome. Results Of 218 patients with PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection 166 patients (76%) received any early (< 7 days) antiviral therapy median 2 (interquartile range 1–4) days after symptom onset. Most patients received sotrovimab (57%), followed by remdesivir (21%) and molnupiravir (21%). An early combination therapy was applied in 45 patients (21%). Thirty-four patients (16%) developed a severe or critical disease severity according to the WHO scale. In total, 14 patients (6.4%) died subsequently associated with COVID-19. Neither vaccination and antibody status, nor applied treatments were associated with outcome. Only age and glomerular filtration rate < 30 ml/min/1.73m2 were independent risk factors for a severe or critical COVID-19. Conclusion COVID-19 due to Omicron remains an important threat for lung transplant recipients. In particular, elderly patients and patients with impaired kidney function are at risk for worse outcome. Prophylaxis and therapy in highly immunocompromised individuals need further improvement.

Background. Everolimus-based quadruple low calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) maintenance immunosuppression has been shown to be effective in preserving short-term renal function without compromising efficacy or safety after lung transplantation; however, long-term benefit remains unknown. Methods. An investigator-initiated 5-y follow-up analysis of the 4EVERLUNG study (NCT01404325), comparing everolimus-based quadruple low CNI with standard triple regimen, was performed. Patients who remained on the randomized drug regimen until the end of the 5-y observation were analyzed as the per protocol (PP) population. Patients in whom the assigned regimen was switched were analyzed as the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Results. In total, 123 patients (95%) from the core study were analyzed. During the observation period in 11 patients (19%) of the standard triple regimen and in 30 patients (46%) of the quadruple low CNI regimen, the assigned immunosuppressive regimen was switched (P = 0.002). Estimated glomerular filtration rate at 5-y follow-up did not differ between the groups in both the ITT (56 [48–73] versus 58 [48–69] mL/min; P=0.951) and PP (59 [50–73] versus 59 [48–69] mL/min; P = 0.946) populations. Thromboembolic events occurred more frequently in the quadruple low CNI regimen (ITT: 11% versus 24%, P = 0.048; PP: 11% versus 22%, P = 0.162). There was a trend for a higher chronic lung allograft dysfunction–free survival for the quadruple low CNI regimen in the PP population (P = 0.082). No difference in the graft survival was found. Conclusions. Initiation of an early everolimus-based quadruple low CNI regimen may have no long-term benefit on renal function. The immunosuppressive efficacy and safety profile seems comparable with the standard triple regimen.

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