Rare Lung Diseases Research Conference Coming to the Tristate in September

The 2018 International Rare Lung Diseases Research Conference and LAMposium, organized by the University of Cincinnati (UC), Cincinnati Children’s and the LAM Foundation, will be held Sept. 6-9, 2018 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The conference, titled "Bringing Cutting Edge Technologies to Rare Lung Disease Research,” will convene researchers and clinicians interested in studying rare lung diseases (RLDs) like lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and accelerating scientific research for the benefit of patients suffering with uncommon lung diseases. 

The co-chairs of the conference are Frank McCormack, MD, Taylor Professor and director of the Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the UC College of Medicine, Bruce Trapnell, MD, of the same division and Cincinnati Children’s and Susan Sherman, CEO of The LAM Foundation.

The conference agenda includes overviews of recent research advances for RLDs, exploring cutting edge concepts related to the diagnosis and treatment of RLD patients, learning about emerging technologies with the potential to accelerate scientific advancements and incorporating the ‘patient voice’ into all aspects of the meeting. Continuing medical education (CME) credits for will be available for all clinicians who attend.

"This is the largest and most purpose-driven meeting in the world focused entirely on rare lung diseases,” says Trapnell. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2016 RLDC Conference in Cincinnati attracted over 450 participants, and launched several productive collaborations and clinical studies. As in past years, the RLDC integrates patients, families and patient advocacy organizations into all aspects of the conference. 

"Participation by patients puts a human face on the problems our scientists are trying to solve. It’s our secret weapon that never fails to inspire,” says Sherman. 

The first day of the conference will include presentations on recent advances in RLDs followed by discussion on the integration of novel technologies into the study of the RLDs. The second day will feature disease-specific workshops focusing on how to drive tangible progress in each of the specific RLDs under discussion. 

Over the past 20 years, as the hub of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences/NIH- supported Rare Lung Disease Consortium (RLDC), Cincinnati has become the epicenter of RLD research. Under the leadership of Trapnell and McCormack, the RLDC has served as the platform for development of biomarkers, diagnostic tests and targeted treatments for lung disease. This includes sirolimus therapy, which is now an approved treatment for LAM in the United States, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Lebanon and four countries in South America, based on the RLDC trial called MILES. 

LAM is a rare, progressive lung disease that occurs primarily in women of childbearing age. The LAM Foundation, headquartered in Cincinnati, has a nearly 25-year history of educating and organizing the LAM patient and scientific communities, and funding research that has formed the basis for pivotal clinical trials. 

"Other rare disease communities, such as the Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome Network and the Alpha One Foundation, have equally inspiring stories to tell,” says McCormack. "The synergy that results when these passionate advocates share their expertise, ideas and scientists is a wonder to behold.”

The conference is open to everyone. Register online here, through the deadline of August 25, 2018.