Revolutionary approaches in COPD research: A look into the future!

Revolutionary approaches in COPD research: A look into the future!

An important symposium on lung research took place in Marburg on July 3rd and 4th, 2025. Organized by Prof. Dr. Claus Vogelmeier and Prof. Dr. Bernd Schmeck, the event focused on personalized medicine and the use of AI-supported therapies to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases. This disease is now the third leading cause of death worldwide and, as the population ages, the incidence is predicted to increase, creating significant socio-economic challenges.

The symposium highlighted crucial topics including early detection of lung diseases using AI, the role of genetic factors and the importance of the microbiome in lung health. The aim of the discussions was to show the chances of a cure or at least a milder course of the disease through improved treatment methods. The challenges posed by existing treatment and prevention strategies were also highlighted.

Insight into PerMed-COPD

The PerMed-COPD research platform, supported by four partners including the Philipps University of Marburg and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, plays a central role in the development of personalized strategies for the treatment and prevention of this disease. According to the information from gesundheitsforschung-bmftr.de A prospective, randomized, controlled study is planned to evaluate the effectiveness of a clinical decision support system.

This system is based on imaging biomarkers and clinical parameters to be compared with traditional care. The aim is to identify novel, pathophysiologically relevant biomarkers, including polygenetic risk scores and information from the microbiome.

Improved diagnostic approaches

The implementation of these new technologies is necessary because previous strategies do not adequately address the complex pathophysiology and comorbidities of COPD. There is also an urgent need for action in the implementation of new research results in clinical practice in order to improve the diagnosis and classification of the disease, as stated by medizin.uni-muenster.de emphasized.

The influence of the microbiome on lung health is increasingly recognized, with lifestyle, particularly smoking, identified as an important influencing factor. The positive effect of quitting smoking on the microbiome and thus on health is highlighted.

In summary, the PerMed COPD research platform represents a promising approach to develop innovative treatment options for COPD. The long-term efficiency of the new strategies is also assessed through accompanying economic research and a cost-benefit analysis.