Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews - Online First

Interventional pulmonology (IP), as a critical sub-discipline within respiratory medicine, has experienced rapid development in recent years, characterized by the emergence of innovative technologies and the continuous expansion of its clinical applications. This review aims to systematically summarize the latest advancements in IP, with a focus on both diagnostic and therapeutic domains. We analyze the current utilization of key techniques across various respiratory diseases, discuss prevailing challenges, and explore future developmental trajectories. Particular attention is paid to cutting-edge innovations, including navigational bronchoscopy, robot-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) systems, and ablative technologies. Additionally, interventional strategies for lung cancer are reviewed in detail. Ultimately, we offer forward-looking insights into the future of the field, providing guidance for both clinical practice and translational research.

Excessive extracellular matrix accumulation characterizes pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a degenerative disease of the interstitial lung that worsens with time and leads to respiratory failure. The current review emphasizes the complicated etiology of PF, which includes environmental exposures, genetic predispositions, and concomitant conditions such as autoimmune diseases, followed by its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Murine models have significantly improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of PF. For example, studies of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice have improved our understanding of the inflammation-fibrosis nexus and revealed new treatment targets. Genetic animal models that lack certain cytokines or signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-γ, IL-13) have helped clarify the role of these mediators in fibrosis formation. In vitro studies with fibroblasts and lung epithelial cells have supplemented these findings by allowing for the analysis of cellular responses to fibrogenic stimuli as well as medication screening. The primary methods for diagnosing PF include histopathological exams, imaging examinations, and pulmonary function testing. New non-invasive biomarkers have the potential to improve early monitoring and identification. Antifibrotic drugs, as well as lung transplantation in severe cases, are the only therapy options available at this time. To improve outcomes for patients with pulmonary fibrosis, this review highlights the need for novel therapies that target key pathophysiological processes and are supported by preclinical models.