Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is the ultimate outcome of various interstitial lung diseases, many of which have a dismal prognosis. Pulmonary fibrosis therefore represents a critical unmet medical need. Progress in research over the last 30 years has been encouraging. This work, which has been funded by governments, charitable trusts, industries and patient groups, has resulted in clinical trials testing novel drugs, giving hope to patients. In late September 2012, representatives from across academics, industry, and funding agencies met at the 17th International Colloquium on Airway and Lung Fibrosis Meeting to discuss state-of-the-art knowledge of pulmonary fibrosis. This manuscript summarizes the outcome of the meeting, highlighting the most relevant results and discoveries. It also attempts to provide a roadmap for future studies. It is hoped that such a roadmap may help all interested parties to generate new research, which will be vital to continued progress. We are encouraged by the commitment expressed by all participants at this meeting and the shared vision of promoting future progress through international collaboration, the pooling of valuable resources, and the involvement of new generation of physicians and scientists.
- ERS
