Lungcast™

Episode #30: The Future of Lung Disease Interception with Dr. Ravi Kalhan

For our 30th episode of Lungcast™, we are joined by pulmonologist Dr. Ravi Kalhan of Northwestern Medicine for a core-level discussion on the modeling of respiratory health and pulmonary mechanisms. In addition to sharing how a novel machine learning method may one day soon predict lung disease susceptibility, Dr. Kalhan describes the science behind the American Lung Association Lung Health Cohort Research Study.

Episode #29: Thoracic Surgeons on the Lung Cancer Team with Dr. David Tom Cooke

Dr. David Tom Cooke, founding chief of the Division of General Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis, joins the first episode of 2023 to discuss his colleague’s specific role in lung cancer screening and intervention, advances to minimally invasive, robotic and bronchoscopic techniques, and evolving strategies in individualized patient care.

Episode #27: The Air We Breathe: Risks of Poor Indoor Air Quality with Drs. Edward Brooks & Charlene McEvoy

Among many unintended and unexpected effects of sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic is the substantial increase in exposures to indoor allergens and pollutants. Here, Dr. Edward Brooks at University of Texas at San Antonio and Dr. Charlene McEvoy at HealthPartners in Minnesota bring a shared expertise on air quality health and research to discuss the resulting health ramifications. It is an enlightening conversation about the patient populations who are most impacted, plus what can be done to help mitigate the consequences.

Episode #26: Crowdsourcing Data to Improve Interstitial Lung Disease Outcomes with Elizabeth Estes & Dr. Simon Walsh

Could a repository of anonymized CT scans and clinical information provide critical clues about rare, unclassified lung diseases? Elizabeth Estes, executive director of Open Source Imaging Consortium, and Dr. Simon Walsh, consultant radiologist and NIHR clinician scientist, sure think so. In this episode, Elizabeth and Dr. Walsh join us to discuss the exciting role machine learning and algorithms may play on enhancing our disease knowledge—from diagnosis and prognosis to biomarker discovery and therapy response.

Episode #25: Deconstructing Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Dr. Reena Mehra

Modern obstructive sleep apnea presents an under met challenge in pulmonary health. This episode, featuring Dr. Reena Mehra at Cleveland Clinic, delves into the ins and outs of this surprisingly common disease that is practically defined by its hefty symptom burden. Listen in to learn more about sleep apnea’s improved diagnostics and advancing therapies, as well as the role of comorbid conditions.

Episode #24: Innovations in Interventional Pulmonology with Dr. Carla Lamb

Dr. Carla Lamb at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center joins us to discuss her role in developing early interventional pulmonary training and recommendations, the utility of key diagnostic tools in the subspecialty, evolving roles for lung cancer treatments including bronchial stents, modernized COPD intervention and research, and the future of interventional pulmonary medicine. It is an information-packed interview!

Episode #23: Modern Asthma Care & SMART Strategy with Drs. Juan Carlos Cardet & Elliot Israel

In recognition of May’s Asthma Awareness Month, this episode highlights our conversation with Dr. Juan Carlos Cardet at University of South Florida and Dr. Elliot Israel at Brigham and Women’s Hospital about the most common respiratory disease in the U.S. It provides a deep dive into the guideline-supported SMART strategy, role of COVID-19 in current asthma risks, and research into the medical and financial impacts of asthma on the U.S. patient population.

More about Drs. Cardet and Israel’s latest research can be found on our Research News webpage.

Episode #22: Sarcoidosis Treatment Landscape & Diagnostic Hurdles with Dr. Mehdi Mirsaeidi

For Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, we are joined by Dr. Mehdi Mirsaeidi, director of the ILD and Sarcoidosis Program at Jacksonville College of Medicine, to review the challenges and research surrounding the rare inflammatory disease. This episode provides an enlightening overview of the history of the underrated disease and its unique inflammatory process, as well as treatment protocols and breakthroughs beyond steroids. Be sure to tune in to also learn more about the role of lung transplantation and COVID-19 complications.

Episode #21: Gene Editing: Making the Impossible Possible with Drs. Eric Kmiec & Natalia Rivera-Torres

For decades, scientists have hypothesized about a future when diseases could be treated with gene editing techniques. The reality is getting closer to fruition! In this fascinating episode, Drs. Eric Kmiec and Natalia Rivera-Torres at ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute share the latest developments in DNA alteration and explain why CRISPR gene editing continues to offer the most promise. They also detail how their lab’s pioneering work in squamous cell carcinoma is leading to what will be the first-ever lung cancer patient trial using CRISPR gene editing in a solid tumor.

Episode #20: Fighting Disparities in Pediatric Asthma Care with Dr. LeRoy Graham

Continuing Black History Month, esteemed pediatric pulmonologist Dr. LeRoy Graham of Bridge Atlanta Medical Center drops by to discuss the disparities that continue to exist in childhood asthma. With a 40-plus year history helping underserved communities, this easy-to-digest episode hits many high points about improving access to asthma care.

Episode #19: The Troubling Cycle of Sickle Cell Disease with Dr. Ify Osunkwo

In recognition of Black History Month, we are joined by internationally acclaimed sickle cell disease expert Dr. Ify Osunkwo at Atrium Health to address stigma, mistrust and disparities. Born in Nigeria, she shares her unique perspectives on the genesis of this genetic disorder and its inequitable public health impacts. Check out the episode for an interesting overview of a storied disease.

Episode #18: Current State of COPD with Dr. Gerard Criner

For the first episode of 2022, we welcome Dr. Gerard Criner at Temple University to summarize key highlights of recent clinical trials and research studies in the COPD field. Additionally, he outlines his work on the development of non-surgical techniques for patients who have advanced COPD. What have been the greatest impacts? Hurdles? Listen and learn.

Special Episode: The Best of Our 2021 Interviews

Join the Lung Association’s Dr. Albert Rizzo for an end-of-year recap of the best highlights from Lungcast in 2021, featuring perspectives on COVID-19, asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis, flu and more.

Episode #17: Fend Off Flu with Dr. Shantanu Agrawal

With flu season upon us, Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Chief Health Officer of Anthem Inc., joins us on behalf of their philanthropic arm, Anthem Foundation, to converse about the importance of flu vaccines as a key social driver of health. This episode explores the various vaccination modalities and related public health guidelines, as well as how our joint Fund Off Flu campaign aims to increase influenza knowledge and vaccination rates.

Episode #16: Lung Cancer Screening: Trials, Tribulations & Triumphs with Dr. James Mulshine

In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, this episode featuring Dr. James Mulshine at Rush University explains the ins and outs of the improved 2021 lung cancer screening guidelines. While a big step in the right direction, complexities and challenges of equitable access to low-dose CT scans continue to persist, plus the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on screening rates.

Episode #15: Interstitial Lung Disease: Scratching Beneath the Surface with Dr. Marilyn Glassberg

Interstitial lung disease, which prominently includes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is a very broad category of chronic lung conditions with considerable nuance. To help break it down within the context of diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Marilyn Glassberg at University of Arizona joins us to discuss the roles of biomarkers, biopsies and drugs. This episode also sheds light on multidisciplinary clinics and stem cell therapy.

Episode #14: Vaccination Roundtable with Drs. Michael Greenberg & Richard Nettles

In this timely episode, we are joined by infectious disease experts Dr. Michael Greenberg of Sanofi Pasteur and Dr. Richard (Rick) Nettles of Johnson & Johnson to discuss respiratory virus immunization. It touches upon many hot topics, including the inadvertent health consequences of the pandemic. Additionally, they offer fascinating insight into how unprecedented collaboration and transparency have raised the research bar.

Episode #13: Biologic Breakthroughs for Severe Asthma with Dr. Mario Castro

In preparation for Peak Week, we welcome Dr. Mario Castro from University of Kansas School of Medicine to guide us through the myriad of emerging asthma biologic agents. While this novel drug class has heralded an era of targeted therapy, what are the promises and challenges? Dr. Castro discusses the inflammatory cascade that drives the disease process, along with the evolution of biomarkers used to predict treatment response.

Episode #12: Future of Lung Cancer Precision Medicine with Dr. Andrea Mazzocchi

Data beget progress. Such is the promise and hope of artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, to match lung cancer patients with their optimal treatments. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Mazzocchi, Co-founder and CEO of Known Medicine, dissects the art and the science of how profiling biomarkers, epigenetics and the microenvironment may provide the synergy needed to revolutionize the oncologic landscape.

Episode #11: What We Know about Health Effects of E-Cigarettes with Dr. Kevin Walton

Dr. Kevin Walton, Branch Chief of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, joins us to deliberate on one of the most-discussed topics in respiratory health today: electronic cigarettes. Ever since their 2007 introduction in the U.S., these popular nicotine delivery systems have sounded the alarm of public health experts everywhere. In this episode, Dr. Walton breaks down the science surrounding their use, including addictive properties and device emissions, while explaining the data gaps that remain to be filled. His team is leading the charge to better understand the health risks and helping to develop a standardized device for research purposes.

Episode #10: Air Quality, Climate Change & Health Impacts with Drs. Alan Greenglass & Pouné Saberi

Drs. Alan Greenglass and Pouné Saberi at ChristianaCare share their expertise in population medicine and social responsibility to make a case for climate justice. What is the human cost of poor health due to climate change? How can medical institutions improve their carbon footprints? All healthcare providers are encouraged to tune in to learn effective strategies and actionable tactics for transforming public policies and moving the environmental needle. (Additional resources can be located at www.psr.org and www.psrpa.org.)

Episode #9: Advancements in Lung Transplants with Cleveland Clinic Team

Cleveland Clinic’s Drs. Carli Lehr, Wayne Tsuang and Maryam Valapour are in the studio to discuss the art and science of lung transplantation. So much progress has been made in recent years, such as successfully bridging patients to transplant, expanding the lung donor pool and preventing post-transplant complications. This impressive team shares their unique, in-the-field perspectives that include why short-term survival rates have greatly improved, while long-term gains have been more modest.

Episode #8: Storied History & Continued Hurdles of Tuberculosis with Dr. Philip LoBue

Just in time for World Tuberculosis Day, we are joined by Dr. Philip LoBue, CDC’s Director of the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination. The informative discussion reviews how TB once devastated the U.S., contributed to the Lung Association’s humble beginnings, and remains a worldwide burden. Tune in to learn all about this epidemic-level infectious disease – from transmission to treatment.

Episode #7: The Discriminate Effect of COVID-19 with Dr. Donald Alcendor

This episode kicks off Black History Month by featuring nationally recognized infectious disease expert Dr. Donald Alcendor of Meharry Medical College. Dr. Alcendor virtually sits down with host Dr. Albert Rizzo to detail how historic and ongoing health disparities in Black, Brown and other communities of color impact the COVID-19 pandemic. It also sheds new light on coronavirus mutations and monoclonal antibodies, in addition to the importance of an equitable vaccination rollout.

Episode #6: New Asthma Management Guidelines Primer with Dr. Anne Dixon

Dr. Rizzo kicks off 2021 with a crash course on NHLBI’s newly released Asthma Management Guidelines with Dr. Anne Dixon at the University of Vermont. Dr. Dixon is a member of the Expert Panel Working Group that originated the focused updates. With six priority topic areas, they are designed to improve patient care and support informed decision making in the clinical setting.

Episode #5: COPD Check-in with Dr. MeiLan Han

The last episode of 2020! On it, Dr. Rizzo catches up with leading expert Dr. MeiLan Han at the University of Michigan to share insights into the most burdensome chronic respiratory disease in the U.S. – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The conversation not only covers phenotypes and prognosis, but recent studies and new treatments.

Episode #4: Dreaming of Lung Cancer Interception with Drs. Avrum Spira and Steven Dubinett

It is a twofer in this episode capturing the spirit of Lung Cancer Awareness Month when Dr. Rizzo is joined by leaders of the Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team, Dr. Avrum Spira at Boston University and Dr. Steven Dubinett at University of California, Los Angeles. The Dream Team – our joint effort with Stand Up To Cancer and LUNGevity – is an alliance of over 40 experts focused on discovering better ways to detect lung cancer before it takes hold.

Episode #3: Up Close & Personal with Dr. Anthony Fauci

Dr. Rizzo shares the stage with possibly the most trusted person in medicine right now, NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci! Their lively conversation features fascinating insight into the latest COVID-19 news, including aerosol transmission of the virus, advances in vaccine platform technology and lessons learned to guard against future pandemics. What does Dr. Fauci say about the likelihood of eradicating this coronavirus? Listen and learn!

Episode #2: Double the Miracle: How Double-Lung Transplants Saved COVID-19 Patients with Dr. Ankit Bharat

This past spring, surgeons at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago successfully performed a double-lung transplant for the very first time on a patient whose lungs were severely and irreversibly damaged by COVID-19. Shortly thereafter, the lifesaving operation was repeated in another COVID-19 patient in his 60s. In this episode, Dr. Rizzo (virtually) sits down with Northwestern’s Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Ankit Bharat, to delve into the details of his headline-making double-lung transplants and what they means for the future. It is a must-listen!

Episode #1: COVID-19, Complications & Search for a Cure with Dr. David Ho

In our very-first episode, Dr. Rizzo connects with the legendary Dr. David Ho to discuss the latest in COVID-19 research. Named TIME magazine’s “Man of the Year” in 1996, Dr. Ho is credited with making significant scientific contributions to improve the understanding and treatment of HIV infection. As the founder of Antimicrobe, a database for infectious disease and antimicrobial agents, he has more recently turned his attention to helping to solve the coronavirus pandemic. This episode is not to be missed!