Contemporary Concise Review 2021: Interstitial lung disease

Abstract

The last 2 years have presented previously unforeseen challenges in pulmonary medicine. Despite the significant impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on patients, clinicians and communities, advances in the care and understanding of interstitial lung disease (ILD) continued unabated. Recent studies have led to improved guidelines, better understanding of the role for antifibrotics in fibrosing ILDs, prognostic indicators and novel biomarkers. In this concise contemporary review, we summarize many of the important studies published in 2021, highlighting their relevance and impact to the management and knowledge of ILD.

Role of Telomere Length in Survival of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Other Interstitial Lung Diseases

“…Furthermore, other molecular mechanisms that were not investigated could be involved. Several works highlight the role of the mucin-like protein MUC5B, metalloproteinases MMP7 and MMP9, and interleukins such as CXCL10 and IL-23 in the risk of developing the disease or a more severe disease [39]. Perhaps, when integrating all this information, we could better interpret a patient's prognosis in a personalized approach.…”

Metabolism-driven glycosylation represents therapeutic opportunities in interstitial lung diseases

“…Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) encompass over 200 conditions characterized by inflammation and fibrosis in the lung interstitium, which impairs gas exchange and can lead to respiratory failure in patients ( 1 ). This review focuses on two most common ILDs, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis, both lacking curative treatments ( 2 – 4 ).…”

Ginsenosides: a potential natural medicine to protect the lungs from lung cancer and inflammatory lung disease

“…Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a classic interstitial lung disease with a median survival of 3-5 years. 195 Rb1 may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle and NF-κB pathway activation. 186 Rg3 was found to be a target of HIF-1α, therefore early targeting of hypoxia could be of potential value "↑" means upregulation or increase, "↓" means downregulation or reduction, and "-" means not mentioned.…”