Sponsored Symposia
Sponsored Breakfast Symposium: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment in 2019
Sponsored by 
Date: Sunday 31 March 2019
Time: 0700 - 0815hrs
Venue: Central Room C
Chairperson: A/Prof Ian Glaspole
Speakers: A/Prof Tamera Corte and Dr Marlies Wijsenbeek
Synopsis: Interest and awareness in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has risen over the past couple of years, largely due to the listing of 2 anti-fibrotics, Ofev (nintedanib) and Esbriet (pirfenidone). In 2017 the Australian Lung Foundation and TSANZ published position papers on the concept of the multidisciplinary meetings and treatment options for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Disease awareness and knowledge of treatment options have increased since then. It is increasingly important to ensure patients can be offered a holistic and well-rounded treatment plan, which stems from accurate MDM diagnosis to offering of appropriate and personalised pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
The objectives aim to tackle and educate on the current issues facing the clinicians and patients alike. These topics include accurate and efficient diagnosis with improved radiological insights, the current evidence suggesting personalised treatment options and the importance of patient and partner empowerment and confronting difficult conversations such as the end of life.
Sponsored Evening Symposium: The changing landscape of COPD
Sponsored by 
Date: Sunday 31 March 2019
Time: 1730 - 1915hrs (networking drinks from 1730hrs, presentation starts 1745hrs)
Venue: Arena 1B
Chairperson: Prof Christine Jenkins
Speakers: Prof Philip Bardin, Prof Peter Gibson and Prof Shyamali Dharmage
Synopsis: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the 3rd most important non-communicable disease, accounting for 5.3% of all deaths worldwide. The importance of COPD is further exemplified by the dramatic increase in publication outputs addressing the genetics, pathophysiology, natural history and therapeutic approaches; reaching a total of over 15,000 citations in PubMed for 2016 alone. Previous concepts are continuing to be revised and central to this is the acceptance that COPD is a complex and heterogeneous disease that may result from different causes. The disease can run different clinical courses and may benefit from some common therapies, but may necessitate different individual approaches to improve outcomes. In this symposium, we aim to address three key topics which are changing the COPD management landscape: (1) What have longitudinal studies taught us about the development of COPD?; (2) Treatable traits - moving into clinical practice; (3) Fine-tuning of pharmacotherapies to prevent exacerbations in COPD.
Sponsored Breakfast Symposium: FOCUS on safely reducing oral corticosteroid use for severe asthma patients: Why and how?
Sponsored by 
Date: Monday 1 April 2019
Time: 0700 - 0815hrs
Venue: Central Room C
Chairperson: Prof Vanessa McDonald
Speaker: Prof Vanessa McDonald and Dr Bradley E. Chipps
Synopsis: Whilst OCS is very effective in controlling severe asthma it is well recognised that they have significant physical, emotional and psychological side effects – even in short courses. The overall impact of OCS on the lives of asthma patients, and to a greater extent, severe asthma patients is still poorly understood. In the face of recent advances in targeted therapies and biomarker guided treatment, it is now time to develop new strategies and guidelines to safely reduce when and how OCS should be used. This symposium will discuss the current challenges and strategies to safely reduce OCS use and exposure in the era of biologic agents.
Sponsored Evening Symposium: Advances in the management of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Sponsored by 
Date: Monday 1 April 2019
Time: 1730 - 1915hrs (Networking drinks from 1730hrs, presentation starts 1745hrs)
Venue: Arena 1b
Chairperson: Dr Jonathan Burdon
Speakers: Dr Jonathan Burdon, Prof Peter Wark, and Prof Felix Herth
Synopsis: Alpha-1 anti-trypsin (AAT) deficiency is not as rare as anticipated, yet it remains an underdiagnosed lung disease. Current clinical management for emphysema due to AAT deficiency is best supportive care to treat the respiratory symptoms, however, this approach does not address the underlying cause of the disease. This symposium, ‘Advances in the Management of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency’ will: explore the challenges of diagnosing and treating AAT deficiency; review key clinical data and real-world evidence on AAT deficiency and its management; discuss available disease-modifying therapies and; consider the importance of identifying AAT-deficient patients so appropriate therapy can be offered once disease-modifying therapies become more widely available in Australia.