Genetics and Lung Health: Understanding Alpha-1 Deficiency
Season 5 – Episode 5
with Dr. Kenneth Chapman
Listen to the eXpand Podcast and join experts clinicians as we dive into chronic lung diseases and eXpand your practice.
Welcome to a new episode of Season 5 of the Expand Podcast, where we explore the latest knowledge on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) and related respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma.
About this Episode
In this episode, Dr. Ken Chapman joins Dr. Jean Bourbeau to discuss the complexities of respiratory diseases: with a strong focus on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), COPD, and asthma. Together, they address the importance of early diagnosis, patient education, and comprehensive management of lung conditions, with a spotlight on the recent access improvements to augmentation therapy in Canada and the clinical evidence from the RAPID Trial.
Today You Will Learn:
- Why spirometry and genetic screening are essential for proper diagnosis
- How alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency affects lung and liver health
- The evolving access to augmentation therapy in Canada
- What the RAPID Trial taught us about early intervention
- The importance of education, advocacy, and long-term patient monitoring
- The exciting research and future directions for treating AATD
Our Special Guest
Dr. Kenneth Chapman, Medical Director of AlphaNet Canada, is a clinician, researcher, and educator based at the University of Toronto. A global leader in AATD research, Dr. Chapman has been instrumental in promoting spirometry testing, improving care for genetic lung disorders, and advocating for greater access to life-saving treatments.
Resources to go Deeper
- Living Well with COPD – AATD Module: Create your free account to access our new interactive COPD modules (updated April 2025). Register now
- Canadian Thoracic Society AATD Guidelines: Read the latest clinical recommendations. View the full article
- AlphaNet Canada: A patient organization offering education, peer support, and advocacy. Visit site
- AlphaNet Canada Patient Registry: Learn about the Canadian initiative linked to EARCO. Visit registry page
- EARCO Registry: Explore the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration. View EARCO
RESPIPLUS™ received support from Takeda Canada to develop an informative podcast series specifically tailored to AATD. This initiative aims to:
- Educate healthcare professionals about the latest advancements in AATD management
- Empower patients with accurate information on accessing resources within the Canadian system
- Foster a supportive community for individuals living with AATD
Collaborating Organizations
This podcast series was developed with the valuable collaboration of several organizations committed to improving care and awareness for individuals living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD):
- AlphaNet Canada: Supporting patients through education, advocacy, and peer support. alphanetcanada.ca
- Innomar: An organization that specializes in helping patients access complex therapies across Canada.
- PPTA: The leading global organization advocating for plasma donation and ensuring the availability of life-saving plasma-based treatments.
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