title: An American Thoracic Society Official Research Statement: Future Directions in Lung Fibrosis Research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary fibrosis encompasses a group of lung-scarring disorders that occur owing to known or unknown insults and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. Despite intense investigation spanning decades, much remains to be learned about the natural history, pathophysiology, and biologic mechanisms of disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the most pressing research needs in the lung fibrosis community and to provide a roadmap of priorities to investigators, funding agencies, patient advocacy groups, and other interested stakeholders.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ad hoc international working group of the American Thoracic Society with experience in clinical, translational, and bench-based research in fibrotic lung diseases was convened. The group used an iterative consensus process to identify successes and challenges in pulmonary fibrosis research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group identified five main priority areas in which substantial resources should be invested to advance our understanding and to develop novel therapies for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. These priorities include develop newer models of human lung fibrosis, engage current and new stakeholders to provide sustained funding for the initiatives, create a global infrastructure for storing patient-derived materials, establish collaborative preclinical and clinical research networks in fibrotic lung disease, and create a global lung fibrosis initiative that unites these multifaceted efforts into a single virtual umbrella structure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite recent advances in the treatment of some forms of lung fibrosis, many gaps in knowledge about natural history, pathophysiology, and treatment remain. Investment in the research priorities enumerated above will help address these shortcomings and enhance patient care worldwide.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4060-8443
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Zea
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Borok
authors.forename: Kevin K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eickelberg
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guenther
authors.forename: R Gisli
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolb
authors.forename: Fernando J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sime
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D032921:Consensus; D005653:Fund Raising / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D016730:Program Development / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States
keywords: biomedical research; consensus; patient advocacy; patient care; pulmonary fibrosis