Miami, October 2, 2025 — The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association revealed groundbreaking insights today as two pivotal abstracts derived from the US Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry (BRR) data were showcased at the prestigious European Respiratory Society Congress held in Amsterdam from September 27 to October 1, 2025. This congress, a cornerstone event in pulmonology, provided a stage for disseminating novel findings related to bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary diseases, pushing forward the boundaries of current respiratory research.
The first abstract delved into the intricate overlap between alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and bronchiectasis, two respiratory conditions that have historically been studied in isolation. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency of a protease inhibitor that protects lung tissue from enzymatic degradation. By leveraging the comprehensive dataset offered by the BRR, researchers were able to identify mechanistic links and epidemiological correlations demonstrating how AATD may predispose individuals to bronchiectasis development, shedding new light on potential dual-diagnostic strategies and personalized therapeutic avenues.
Parallel to these findings, the second abstract focused on the clinical management and exacerbation profiles of adult bronchiectasis patients within the BRR. Exacerbations, defined as periods of acute symptom worsening, significantly impact morbidity and healthcare utilization in bronchiectasis. The study meticulously analyzed patient histories and treatment regimens, revealing patterns in exacerbation frequency and management approaches. This granular evaluation is critical for refining treatment protocols with the aim of reducing exacerbation rates and improving long-term lung function and quality of life for affected patients.
The Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry itself is a monumental initiative spearheaded by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association to aggregate and harmonize clinical data from a multisite network across the United States. By capturing extensive clinical and demographic information from individuals diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and NTM pulmonary disease, the registry enables robust, collaborative research efforts and supports the design of multicenter clinical trials, accelerating the quest for innovative treatments.
Underpinning the registry’s operational capacity are key philanthropic and industry supporters, including the Richard H. Scarborough Bronchiectasis Research Fund, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, and corporate research grants from Insmed Incorporated and AstraZeneca. This diverse funding landscape underscores the shared commitment across public and private sectors to enhance scientific understanding and therapeutic options in these challenging chronic lung conditions.
Bronchiectasis itself is typified by the permanent dilatation and scarring of the bronchial airways, leading to chronic mucus accumulation and impaired bacterial clearance. Such pathological airway remodeling establishes a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation that damages pulmonary tissue over time. Epidemiologically, bronchiectasis is increasingly recognized, with treatment prevalence estimates ranging between 340,000 to more than half a million American adults. Improved diagnostic awareness and registry data continue to reshape our understanding of the disease’s true burden.
Comorbid with bronchiectasis, nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease represents a significant and escalating threat. Caused by environmental mycobacterial species typically found in soil and water, NTM infections exploit host vulnerabilities such as immunodeficiency or underlying pulmonary pathology. The rising incidence of NTM lung disease, particularly among patients with bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphasizes the need for enhanced diagnostic vigilance and innovative treatment strategies, as NTM infections are notoriously difficult to eradicate.
The Bronchiectasis and NTM Association, a nonprofit organization at the epicenter of patient advocacy, education, and research facilitation, drives efforts to improve patient outcomes. By fostering collaborations among clinicians, researchers, and patients, the association promotes evidence-based care and pushes the envelope in understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutic innovations. Their ongoing commitment includes educational outreach, advocacy campaigns, and research funding—all integral to combating the complex challenges presented by bronchiectasis and NTM lung diseases.
Amidst advancing scientific knowledge, one of the core challenges remains the heterogeneity observed in patient presentations and disease trajectories. The registry’s diverse dataset enables stratification of bronchiectasis phenotypes and NTM subtypes, which is paramount for the evolution of personalized medicine approaches. Such stratification promises to refine prognostication and tailor pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments to patient-specific disease characteristics.
Emerging research, including insights from the registry, also highlights the importance of integrating molecular diagnostics with clinical phenotyping. For instance, understanding the genetic underpinnings of AATD within bronchiectasis populations offers potential pathways for targeted gene therapies or augmentation treatments. This intersection of molecular biology and clinical epidemiology heralds a new frontier in respiratory medicine.
Moreover, management of exacerbations remains a critical clinical focus. The second abstract’s findings illuminate the variability in treatment efficacies and underscore the necessity for standardized exacerbation protocols. Optimizing antibiotic stewardship, airway clearance techniques, and anti-inflammatory therapies could mitigate exacerbation impact, limit lung function decline, and enhance patient quality of life.
The European Respiratory Society Congress presentations represent a watershed moment in bronchiectasis and NTM research by translating registry data into actionable knowledge. These findings strengthen the call for expanding registries globally to capture diverse patient populations and deepen our understanding of these diseases’ natural histories and treatment outcomes.
For healthcare professionals and researchers alike, the continued expansion and utilization of the US Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry exemplify the transformative power of data-driven approaches in tackling chronic respiratory diseases. The registry not only serves as a rich resource for epidemiological insights but also as a catalyst for multicenter clinical trials that could herald the next generation of therapeutic breakthroughs.
The full potential of the registry and the research it enables can be realized only through sustained funding, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the perpetuation of patient-centered frameworks. Patients living with bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease stand to benefit profoundly as scientific discoveries transition from bench to bedside, offering hope for improved management strategies and ultimately, better health outcomes.
For more detailed information about ongoing research efforts and the Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry, interested parties are encouraged to visit www.bronchandntm.org. This platform provides a wealth of resources for patients, clinicians, and researchers dedicated to combating these complex lung diseases.
Subject of Research: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and bronchiectasis overlap; exacerbation history and management in adult bronchiectasis
Article Title: Not specified in the source text
News Publication Date: October 2, 2025
Web References: www.bronchandntm.org
Keywords: Respiratory disorders, Bronchiectasis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, Chronic lung diseases, Exacerbation management, Pulmonary research, Clinical registries
