Respiratory Specialists Are Reshaping How We Treat Lung Disease—Here's What's Changing in 2026

Respiratory medicine is entering a new era where personalized treatment, workplace safety, and artificial intelligence are reshaping how doctors diagnose and manage lung disease. At the European Respiratory Society's (ERS) Satellites 2026 conference, leading pulmonary experts are previewing major breakthroughs across chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and sleep-related breathing disorders that will directly impact how patients receive care.

What's New in COPD Treatment Beyond Traditional Medications?

For decades, COPD patients relied primarily on inhalers and bronchodilators to manage their condition. But the landscape is shifting dramatically. In recent years, biologic medications have been approved for COPD patients with a specific T2 phenotype—a term describing a particular inflammatory pattern in the lungs. "ERS Satellites will cover a number of key updates in COPD," explains Prof. Nicolas Roche, previous ERS Science Council Chair. "In the last few years, some biologics have been authorised for the treatment of some COPD patients with a T2 phenotype. This represents a real advance, and other biologics are in development in this indication".

But medications are only part of the story. Experts are equally excited about non-pharmacological breakthroughs that don't involve drugs at all. These include interventional bronchoscopy (a minimally invasive procedure using a thin tube to access the airways), integrated care models that coordinate multiple specialists, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs that help patients rebuild lung function through exercise and education.

Perhaps most importantly, doctors are shifting toward early detection and prevention. "Huge advances are occurring in COPD," Prof. Roche notes. "This includes new knowledge of risk factors and trajectories that has important practical implications for primary prevention". This means identifying people at risk before they develop severe disease—a game-changer for long-term outcomes.

Why Your Workplace Matters More Than You Think for Asthma Control

While many people think of asthma as an allergic condition triggered by pollen or pet dander, occupational exposures are a major—and often overlooked—cause of asthma in working adults. Certain jobs expose workers to substances that can trigger or worsen asthma, yet many patients and even some doctors don't make the connection.

Prof. Omar Usmani, ERS Science Council Chair, highlighted this gap in the 2026 asthma session. "In planning the asthma session this year, we addressed topics that attendees reported they felt were often overlooked or poorly understood and wanted to be better informed," he explains. One of the keynote speakers, Johanna Feary, will address "Asthma in the workplace," discussing assessment and management of work-related asthma. Her research includes studies with firefighters and workers exposed to silica dust—both groups at high risk for occupational asthma.

The practical takeaway: If your asthma symptoms worsen during work shifts or improve on weekends and vacations, your job environment may be the culprit. Proper occupational history-taking by your doctor is essential for identifying and managing workplace-triggered asthma.

How to Get Better Asthma Care Tailored to Your Life

• Patient-Centered Assessment: Work with your doctor to understand the full spectrum of asthma management options, not just medication. Prof. António Jaime Correia de Sousa emphasizes "the importance of tailoring care to the individual patient," recognizing that guideline recommendations must be adapted to real-world barriers and challenges patients face across different countries and healthcare systems.
• Allergen Immunotherapy Consideration: If you have allergic asthma, ask your doctor about allergen immunotherapy (AIT)—a disease-modifying therapy that can prevent and treat allergic asthma by gradually desensitizing your immune system to specific allergens. This approach may work alongside biologic therapies for enhanced benefit.
• Evolving Treatment Strategies: Stay informed about the latest asthma medications, including AIR (anti-inflammatory reliever), MART (maintenance and reliever therapy), and biologic drugs. Prof. Florence Schleich will guide clinicians through "how to do it and when," emphasizing that the therapeutic landscape is evolving and sometimes confusing, requiring a pragmatic approach to treatment selection.

Why Interstitial Lung Disease Requires a Whole-Person Approach

Interstitial lung disease encompasses a diverse group of conditions affecting the tissue between air sacs in the lungs. These diseases are notoriously challenging to diagnose and manage, partly because they present with overlapping symptoms and multiple possible causes.

One of the most burdensome symptoms is chronic cough—a relentless, exhausting symptom that significantly impacts quality of life. Prof. Michael Kreuter, Head of ERS Assembly 12, notes that cough management will be a key focus at ERS Satellites 2026. Additionally, specific ILD subtypes like sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis have seen significant new insights in recent years that will be discussed at the conference.

Critically, experts are emphasizing non-pharmacological management strategies—approaches that don't rely on drugs. "One of the most major topics to be covered in the session—often neglected but extremely important—is non-pharmacological management of ILDs, a field with growing evidence and high patient satisfaction," Prof. Kreuter explains. These strategies may include breathing exercises, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy when needed, and psychological support to manage the emotional burden of chronic lung disease.

How Is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Sleep and Breathing Disorder Diagnosis?

Sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), affect millions of people worldwide but remain underdiagnosed. Traditional diagnosis requires overnight sleep studies, which are expensive, time-consuming, and not always accessible. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly changing this landscape.

Prof. Sophia Schiza, Head of ERS Assembly 4, explains the potential: "Artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly evolving in the sleep field. With this in mind we will discuss how these tools can transform diagnosis, risk stratification, personalised treatment plans and follow-up strategies towards patient-related outcomes". AI algorithms can analyze breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and other physiological data to identify patients at risk, predict which treatment will work best for each person, and monitor how well treatment is working over time.

However, experts are also addressing real-world limitations. AI tools are only as good as the data they're trained on, and questions remain about availability and insurance reimbursement. Additionally, for patients with neuromuscular or chest wall disorders, early recognition of sleep-related breathing problems and individualized therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving patient-reported outcomes.

What Should You Take Away From These Respiratory Advances?

The 2026 respiratory medicine landscape reflects a fundamental shift: away from one-size-fits-all treatment and toward personalized, multidisciplinary care that addresses the whole person. Whether you have COPD, asthma, ILD, or sleep apnea, the message from leading experts is clear—modern respiratory care is more sophisticated, more targeted, and more focused on your individual needs than ever before. If you haven't had a recent conversation with your doctor about your respiratory health, now is an excellent time to schedule one and ask about these emerging treatment options and diagnostic approaches.