The Temple Lung Center continued to set the standard in lung health throughout 2024, delivering exceptional clinical care and advancing lung disease research. Through expanded screening programs and innovative clinical trials, our multidisciplinary team—including pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and other specialists—provided patients with breakthrough options for diagnosing and treating even the most complex lung conditions.
LDCT+ for Early Cancer and Comorbidity Detection
Now in its third year, the Temple Healthy Chest Initiative is aimed at identifying lung diseases in their earliest and most treatable stages. This year, the program introduced spirometry testing alongside LDCT screenings to detect undiagnosed COPD and airflow obstruction, leading to earlier treatment and better outcomes for patients.
The updated GOLD 2023 Guidelines advise the inclusion of spirometry as a standard of care for accurate measurement of lung function, as evidence is emerging this leads to more appropriate treatment for COPD patients. The Temple Healthy Chest Initiative is addressing this gap in care by simultaneously screening patients for COPD, lung cancer, and other chest conditions.
New COPD Research Expands Options for Patients
Temple Lung Center Director Gerard J. Criner, MD, presented five-year follow-up data from the LIBERATE study showing Zephyr Endobronchial Valve's long-term results in improving lung function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life for emphysema patients. Dr. Criner also recently performed the first U.S.-based procedure of the CONVERT II trial, an innovative approach that targets and treats fissural defects that cause leaks between lung lobes. The procedure has the potential to help more patients qualify for minimally invasive BLVR treatment - advancing treatments for severe COPD.
Learn more about how the Temple Lung Center is advancing the standard of care for COPD.
Temple PVD Program Offers Streamlined Care for Complex Patients
The Temple Lung Center expanded its Pulmonary Vascular Disease (PVD) Program, delivering comprehensive care for conditions like PAH, to PH-ILD, acute PE, and more. By combining expertise across specialties, the program ensures streamlined diagnostic, therapeutics solutions, and access to clinical trials for complex cases.
50+ Clinical Trials Offering Access to Breakthrough Treatments
As an ILD Center of Excellence, the center also enrolled patients in a number of trials focused on targeted therapies for patients with ILD, including IPF, SSc-ILD, and PPF secondary to other causes. This year, Temple led the nation in enrolling patients for the FIBRONEER trial, evaluating nerandomilast, a potential breakthrough treatment for IPF.
The Temple Lung Center is also enrolling participants in various clinical trials investigating promising therapies to improve lung function, quality of life, and long-term outcomes for patients with COPD. We've implemented a streamlined referral process, making it easier than ever for patients to join trials and access new treatment options.
Lung Transplant Program Surpasses National Benchmarks
This year, Temple's Lung Transplant Program remained a leader in treating the most complex and high-risk cases, surpassing national benchmarks with a one-year survival rate above 90%, almost 5 points higher than the national average. Our multidisciplinary transplant team includes internationally renowned surgeons like Dr. Yoshiya Toyoda, a pioneer of the antero-axillary approach to transplantation.
