Pulmonary Fibrosis-Focusing on the Future: Aspen Lung Conference 2024 Summary

As medical and scientific communities, we have enjoyed exciting advances in our mechanistic understanding, diagnosis, and therapy of different types of lung fibrosis. However, much still needs to be learned as we are challenged to make earlier diagnoses; improve our ability to assess active disease and risks for disease progression; advance our understanding of the complex interplay of molecular, genetic, and cellular cross-talk processes that underly the disease; and develop transformative therapeutic options to treat and prevent progressive lung fibrosis. Elucidating cellular phenotypes, function and signaling, and the interplay with matrices and aspects of mechanobiology has the potential to help us identify future targets and even reprogram or rebuild a damaged lung. Key to potential future opportunities will be understanding what aspects of fibrogenesis can be prevented or reversed. Bringing together a group of respected medical and scientific thought leaders, the 66th Annual Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference was titled "Pulmonary Fibrosis-Focusing on the Future." The conference topics included concepts and technologies for identification of early disease and progression using imaging and -omics approaches, identifying and understanding cellular phenotypes and their function, and cross-talk between different cell types, matrices, and matrix receptors. A central theme throughout was the integration of these scientific advances to advance novel targets for therapy, including aspects of reprogramming and rebuilding a damaged lung. The conference provided a forum for discussion, debate, and exchange of ideas with leaders and trainees in the field with the goal to help advance our shared mission of preventing and curing pulmonary fibrotic disease.