Explore our YouTube page to watch plenaries, discipline groups, workshops, and symposium sessions on topics ranging from lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, CFTR modulators, and more.
Not sure where to start? Members of the cystic fibrosis community share their favorite sessions from this year’s conference.
Challenges of Precision Medicine in CF
"I found Challenges of Precision Medicine in CF, to be exciting as they discuss how to improve and better develop personalized treatments for cystic fibrosis. They showed how using patient-derived samples (i.e.: nasal cells) are important for finding the best modulator therapy for each person. As technology advances, these precise approaches could potentially benefit and improve treatments for all people with CF – including those with rare and more common mutations. As an individual with rare mutations and a CF researcher, I am truly excited by these innovations, and I believe that personalized therapy will be the best way to deliver optimized treatments for everyone with cystic fibrosis." - Miriam Frankenthal Figueira, an adult living with cystic fibrosis
The PT/RT Year in Review: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
"Ever since COVID-19 struck, we have shifted to a new way of care: telemedicine. The growing possibility and momentum of home spirometry is one result from COVID-19 that we can celebrate! During The PT/RT Year in Review: Where Are We and Where Are We Going? they discuss how home spirometry allows people with cystic fibrosis to identify trends in their lung function, including drops and potential exacerbations, as well as perform lung function tests without the added anxiety that comes for many people with CF at clinic visits. We can expect home spirometry to continue to add value to our health monitoring as time goes on, ultimately leading to a more informed CF patient population." - Ruby Steuart, an adult living with cystic fibrosis
"After years of pushing high-fat and high-calorie foods on Aidan, my son with cystic fibrosis, I noticed a huge change since he started taking highly-effective CFTR modulators. I realized I may need to make some changes, including a more balanced diet for my son. He is now absorbing food more efficiently and is gaining weight at a steady pace. An Unexpected Problem: Weight Management in CF, showed that Trikafta resulted in a clear increase in weight and BMI. At first, I thought it may be a coincidence, but now I’m confident that these effects are long-lasting, and Aidan needs a healthier, less fatty diet. No more daily trips to DQ for milkshakes!" - Megan Neville, a mother to a teenager with cystic fibrosis
"During CFRD Unresolved Clinical Questions, they talked about the many bionic or artificial pancreas devices in development – some dispense insulin only and some dispense both insulin and glucagon to fully regulate blood glucose. These devices use machine learning to continuously adjust insulin delivery, which is especially helpful for those of us with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes because our insulin needs are often changing. The best part about these devices is that they require minimal user input... which means no carb counting for meals! There was a pilot study in three people with CFRD that had good results. Soon, a larger six-month multi-center randomized trial will begin. This was a big moment of hope for me – I would be so excited if this bionic pancreas could simplify CFRD treatment!" - Kristin Dunn, an adult living with cystic fibrosis
