Interstitial Lung Disease & Systemic Autoimmune Disorders Symposium 2026

Advanced Multidisciplinary Update in Autoimmune-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

This comprehensive, full-day symposium provides an advanced clinical update on the diagnosis, imaging, pathobiology, and management of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) associated with systemic autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.

Bringing together leading experts in:

• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Lung transplantation
• Translational science

the program explores the rapidly evolving landscape of autoimmune-associated ILD through evidence-based lectures, multidisciplinary case discussions, and emerging research updates.

The symposium focuses on improving recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of complex ILD presentations while strengthening collaboration between specialties involved in the care of patients with systemic autoimmune disease and pulmonary fibrosis.

Key areas of emphasis include:

• Connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD)
• Systemic sclerosis-associated ILD
• Rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD
• Myositis-related ILD
• Sarcoidosis
• Progressive fibrosing ILD phenotypes
• ILD-related pulmonary hypertension
• Lung transplantation considerations
• Biomarkers and translational medicine
• Advanced thoracic imaging interpretation

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🩺 Program Overview

Interstitial lung diseases associated with autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders remain among the most challenging conditions in pulmonary and rheumatologic medicine.

Advances in:

• Imaging techniques
• Biomarker discovery
• Antifibrotic therapies
• Immunomodulatory treatment
• Pulmonary hypertension management
• Transplant medicine

are rapidly changing the approach to diagnosis and patient care.

This symposium provides clinicians with practical, multidisciplinary strategies for:
✔️ Early ILD detection
✔️ Accurate imaging interpretation
✔️ Risk stratification
✔️ Guideline-based treatment selection
✔️ Monitoring progressive fibrosing disease
✔️ Managing pulmonary complications
✔️ Improving long-term patient outcomes

The curriculum combines clinical expertise with translational science and real-world management approaches.

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🎯 Educational Focus

Participants will gain updated knowledge on:

• Autoimmune-associated ILD mechanisms
• Advanced HRCT imaging interpretation
• Biomarkers and precision diagnostics
• Emerging antifibrotic and immunologic therapies
• Pulmonary hypertension in ILD
• Lung transplantation referral and evaluation
• Multidisciplinary ILD management models
• Evidence-based treatment strategies

The program emphasizes integration of pulmonology, rheumatology, radiology, and transplant medicine into coordinated patient-centered care.

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🫁 Connective Tissue Disease–Associated ILD

A major focus of the symposium is connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD).

Topics include:

• Systemic sclerosis-associated ILD
• Rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD
• Myositis-related ILD
• Mixed connective tissue disease
• Autoimmune overlap syndromes

Faculty discuss:
✔️ Early recognition strategies
✔️ Autoimmune serologic evaluation
✔️ Imaging and pulmonary function assessment
✔️ Disease progression monitoring
✔️ Modern immunosuppressive and antifibrotic therapies

These sessions highlight practical approaches to managing complex autoimmune pulmonary disease.

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🔬 Fibrosing ILD & Translational Science

The symposium also explores emerging science behind progressive fibrosing ILD phenotypes.

Topics include:

• Fibrotic pathway activation
• Biomarker development
• Precision medicine approaches
• Translational research advances
• Novel therapeutic targets

Experts review current and investigational therapies aimed at slowing fibrosis progression and improving pulmonary outcomes.

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🧲 Advanced Thoracic Imaging

Radiology-focused sessions provide updates on:

• High-resolution CT (HRCT) interpretation
• Fibrotic pattern recognition
• Differential diagnosis of ILD
• Imaging-based disease monitoring
• Multidisciplinary imaging correlation

Faculty emphasize improving diagnostic confidence and reducing delays in ILD diagnosis through modern thoracic imaging strategies.

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❤️ Pulmonary Hypertension & Advanced Disease

Specialized sessions review:

• ILD-associated pulmonary hypertension
• Hemodynamic evaluation
• Right heart dysfunction
• Risk stratification
• Advanced therapeutic approaches

The course highlights the importance of early identification and multidisciplinary management of pulmonary vascular complications in ILD patients.

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🫀 Lung Transplantation & Advanced Care

The symposium also discusses:

• Referral timing for transplantation
• Candidate evaluation
• Pre-transplant optimization
• Advanced fibrotic lung disease management
• Long-term outcomes and multidisciplinary care

These sessions provide practical guidance for clinicians caring for patients with advanced or progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

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💡 Key Features

✔️ Comprehensive multidisciplinary ILD update
✔️ Focus on autoimmune and connective tissue disease-associated ILD
✔️ Advanced thoracic imaging education
✔️ Translational science and biomarker updates
✔️ Pulmonary hypertension and transplant discussions
✔️ Evidence-based antifibrotic and immunologic therapy review
✔️ Case-based clinical learning and multidisciplinary collaboration

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🚀 Why This Symposium Stands Out

This symposium uniquely integrates:

• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Translational research
• Lung transplantation

into a collaborative educational experience focused on real-world management of autoimmune-associated interstitial lung disease.

By combining:
✔️ Clinical case discussions
✔️ Advanced imaging interpretation
✔️ Translational science updates
✔️ Emerging therapies
✔️ Guideline-based management strategies

the program equips clinicians with practical tools to improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of patients with complex interstitial lung diseases.

This course serves as a valuable educational resource for healthcare professionals seeking advanced updates in ILD and systemic autoimmune lung disease management.