ON-DEMAND WEBINAR

Mucus Plugs and Functional Imaging: The Newest Biomarker Emerging in Asthma and COPD

Originally aired: June 26, 2025

Duration: ~60 minutes

WATCH THE REPLAY ▶

Mucus Plugs and Functional Imaging: The Newest Biomarker Emerging in Asthma and COPD

EXCITING UPDATE POST-ATS 2025

Originally aired: June 26, 2025

Duration: ~60 minutes

WATCH THE REPLAY ▶

Image adapted from: McIntosh MJ et al., Chest. 2022;162(3):520–533.

About the Webinar

Biologic therapy in asthma and COPD is changing the way these diseases are managed. There is a growing appreciation of the importance of the role that mucus plugs and the resulting ventilation defects play in disease progression and disease modification. By combining structural imaging (HRCT) with ventilation imaging (Xenon MRI), the functional consequences of these obstructions can be measured directly, and new insights gained in how to effectively phenotype patients for biologic therapy.

Join three leading pulmonology and imaging experts as they share important new data and case studies on how combining CT (structure) and Xenon MRI (function) offers a powerful biomarker combination to differentiate asthma phenotypes, monitor response to biologics, and even predict exacerbations.

We’ll dive into cutting-edge research and clinical applications, including:

New understanding of the variability of mucus plug characteristics

Real-time tracking of biologic therapy response in severe asthma

Imaging-guided bronchoscopy insights in complex cases

Case-based applications across asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis

About the Webinar

Explore the Role of Mucus Plug Imaging in Precision Respiratory Medicine
Biologic therapy is redefining care for asthma and COPD, but treatment response still varies dramatically across patients. One critical—and often overlooked—driver? Mucus plugs.

This webinar brings together leading pulmonology and imaging experts to explore how advanced structural (CT) and functional (Xenon MRI) imaging is unlocking new ways to phenotype disease, track response, and guide therapy decisions.

You'll gain exclusive insights and case-based applications from top researchers on how to integrate these tools into clinical and research settings.

What You’ll Learn:

The latest evidence on mucus plug variability—and why it matters in asthma and COPD outcomes

How Xenon MRI and CT can reveal ventilation defects and airway obstruction in real-time

Use cases in imaging-guided bronchoscopy, cystic fibrosis, and complex patient monitoring

Practical strategies for using imaging biomarkers to guide biologic therapy and predict exacerbations

Use cases in imaging-guided bronchoscopy, cystic fibrosis, and complex patient monitoring

Important Safety Information

Indication

XENOVIEW®, prepared from the Xenon Xe 129 Gas Blend, is a hyperpolarized contrast agent indicated for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of lung ventilation in adults and pediatric patients aged 6 years and older.

Limitations of Use

XENOVIEW® has not been evaluated for use with lung perfusion imaging.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Risk of Decreased Image Quality from Supplemental Oxygen: Supplemental oxygen administered simultaneously with XENOVIEW® inhalation can cause degradation of image quality. For patients on supplemental oxygen, withhold oxygen inhalation for two breaths prior to XENOVIEW® inhalation, and resume oxygen inhalation immediately following the imaging breath hold.

Risk of Transient Hypoxia: Inhalation of an anoxic gas such as XENOVIEW® may cause transient hypoxemia in susceptible patients. Monitor all patients for oxygen saturation and symptoms of hypoxemia and treat as clinically indicated.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients: The adverse reactions (> one patient) in efficacy trials were oropharyngeal pain, headache, and dizziness.

Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients: In published literature in pediatric patients aged 6 to 18 years, the following transient adverse reactions were reported: blood oxygen desaturation, heart rate elevation, numbness, tingling, dizziness, and euphoria. In at least one published study of pediatric patients aged 6 to 18 years, transient decrease in SpO2% and transient increase in heart rate were reported following hyperpolarized xenon Xe 129 administration. XENOVIEW® is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

Parameswaran Nair

MD, PhD

Dr Nair is the Frederick E. Hargreave Teva Innovation Chair in Airway Diseases & Professor of Medicine in the Division of Respirology at McMaster University, an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at McGill University, and a Staff Respirologist at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, where he looks after patients with complex obstructive airway diseases, severe asthma and eosinophilic lung disorders. These unique multi-disciplinary clinics with immunologists, hematologists, and vasculitis and imaging specialists provide advanced care, including access to biologics, pulmonary imaging, bronchial thermoplasty, and research opportunities.

Sarah Svenningsen

PhD

Dr. Sarah Svenningsen is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. She is a pulmonary imaging scientist who has made significant contributions to the fields of Xenon MRI and imaging of respiratory diseases. Dr Svenningsen’s research program focuses on three translational themes using an integrated clinical and medical imaging approach: translational imaging to (1) detect and understand the early manifestation of pulmonary diseases, (2) predict and evaluate pulmonary disease outcomes, and (3) improve the selection, delivery and efficacy of therapies targeting pulmonary diseases.

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Mario Castro

MD, MPH

Dr. Mario Castro is the Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine; Vice-Chair for Clinical and Translational Research; and Director of Rainbow Clinical and Translational Science Unit, Frontiers at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He leads the Asthma and Airway Translational Research Unit, with a focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of severe asthma. Dr. Castro has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and played a pivotal role in major NIH-funded COVID-19 studies.