Respiratory Translational Research Group - RTRG

31/05/2026

Today is , and TSANZ stands with the World Health Organization in calling to unmask the appeal of to***co and ni****ne products.

While the to***co industry reinvents itself through flavoured vapes, ni****ne pouches and sleek marketing, it continues working behind the scenes to shape the policy debate in its favour.

In March, TSANZ made a submission to the Senate inquiry into Australia's illegal to***co crisis, which is undermining to***co control success by increasing affordability and access.

We called for stronger retail licensing, reduced retailer density, better cessation support, and no reduction in to***co excise. We also raised serious concerns after reports that Philip Morris International had addressed the Inquiry in a private hearing.

Today we restate our position: public health policy must be transparent, evidence-based and protected from to***co industry influence. The response to the illicit to***co crisis must strengthen to***co control, not weaken it to undermine decades of hard-won progress.

📢Read our media release:https://thoracic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/250505-Secret-big-to***co-hearing-media-release.pdf
📄 Read our full submission:https://thoracic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/62.-Thoracic-Society-of-Australia-and-New-Zealand.pdf

25/05/2026

🔔 Registration open for the TSANZ Lung Cancer & Screening Short Course!

Join us on Saturday, 15 August 2026, at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the upcoming TSANZ Lung Cancer & Screening Short Course, chaired by Prof

Developed by the TSANZ-commissioned Lung Cancer & Screening Committee and endorsed by the Education and Training Sub-Committee, the course will feature an experienced Australasian faculty and a focused program designed to support learning, discussion and educational insight.

Places will be limited to help maximise engagement and interaction! Don't miss your spot and register now here: https://tsanz.eventsair.com/lung-cancer-screening-short-course/lungcancerscreening-2026-adelaider-registration/Site/Register

👉 View more course details and the full program here: https://tsanz.eventsair.com/lung-cancer-screening-short-course

We look forward to seeing you in Adelaide!

21/05/2026

Well done Monica Lu on the recent work demonstrating increased peripheral blood inflammatory markers, including ESR and CRP levels in smokers (even with preserved lung function) and in individuals with COPD. Differences in eosinophil patterns between current and former smokers with COPD highlight inflammatory heterogeneity and reinforce the importance of personalized medicine approaches tailored to individual inflammatory profiles to improve outcomes and quality of life. We are very thankful to Clifford Craig Foundation for supporting the study!

Introduction Cigarette smoking is a major driver of airway and systemic inflammation and contributes to the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study compared peripheral blood inflammatory markers and immune cell profiles in smokers with and without COPD...

20/05/2026

⏰ Final call for abstracts ⏰

Monday, 25 May 2026, is the last day to submit your abstract for the World Congress of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology 2026.

Don’t miss the opportunity to share your work with the global interventional pulmonology community and be considered for the Congress scientific and educational program or poster sessions.

Submissions are encouraged across interventional pulmonology, bronchology, pleural disease, lung cancer, pulmonary nodules, airways disease, education, training and related areas.

📄 Submit your abstract here: https://buff.ly/gUmARPz

12/05/2026

📄 Abstract submissions are open for WCBIP 2026 until 25 May 2026.

Submit your abstract for the opportunity to be part of the Congress's scientific and educational program or poster sessions. Submitting your work is an excellent way to contribute to the largest meeting in Interventional Pulmonology!

Click the link below to read more and submit an abstract:
https://wcbip2026.com/abstracts/

🎟️ Registrations are also open for WCBIP 2026. Early registration fees are available until 24 September 2026!

Click the link below for more details and registration:
https://wcbip2026.com/registration/

We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne for !

05/05/2026

Today is World Asthma Day, a timely reminder that asthma remains one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions across Australia, New Zealand and globally.

This year’s global theme, led by the Global Initiative for Asthma, is
“Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma - still an urgent need.”

Asthma affects more than 260 million people worldwide. In Australia, around one in nine people, or 2.8 million people, live with asthma. In Aotearoa New Zealand, asthma burden remains high, with 12% of children aged 2–14 and 12% of adults aged 15+ reporting current asthma medication use.

Explore these resources and opportunities to support asthma research, education, access and evidence-based respiratory care:

📄 TSANZ’s position statement on the environmental impact of inhaled medicines, which highlights that sustainable respiratory care starts with accurate diagnosis, good disease control and clinically appropriate inhaler choices. Read the full position statement here: https://buff.ly/aq3Y35G

🎓 The Biennial Australasian Severe Asthma Registry (ASAR) Research Summit 2026: taking place on Friday, 29 May in Melbourne. Chaired by Professor Peter Gibson, the Summit will feature updates on the ASAR registry, recent research, biologics in COPD, asthma control, severe asthma clinical remission, and future registry directions. Register here: https://buff.ly/BCuEQk9

🎓 The TSANZ Airways Disease Across the Spectrum Short Course, also being held in Melbourne on 29 and 30 May. Chaired by Associate Professor Sukhwinder Singh Sohal, the course will provide comprehensive updates on airway disease, including asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, and paediatric lung disease. Register here: https://buff.ly/TzJ9G5B

On World Asthma Day, TSANZ joins the call to improve access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma.

Better asthma care depends on access, education, equity, research and evidence-based practice.

12/04/2026

Biennial Australasian Severe Asthma Registry (ASAR) Research Summit 2026 | 29 May Melbourne

Join leading clinicians, researchers, and registry professionals at the Biennial Australasian Severe Asthma Registry (ASAR) Research Summit 2026, a must‑attend event for anyone working in severe asthma, COPD, biologics, and respiratory research.

📅 Friday 29 May 2026
📍Pullman Melbourne on the Park
🎓Chair: Professor Peter Gibson
🔗Registration and full details: https://buff.ly/HaP6qaH

The ASAR Research Summit 2026 will showcase the latest developments in: ASAR registry updates, Asthma clinical remission, Biologics in COPD, Key recent research publications, and Future directions.

The ASAR Research Summit 2026, will be co-located with the TSANZ Airways Disease Across the Spectrum Short Course held on 29 and 30 May. More info about the short course here: https://buff.ly/ZnHqa7d

Registration is free for TSANZ members and ASAR participating staff.

Share with your colleagues across asthma research, respiratory medicine, clinical registries, and allied health!

08/04/2026

26/03/2026