Using Advanced Imaging to Track How Immunosuppressive Treatment Affects Lung Scarring

This trial is testing whether advanced imaging scans can measure how well immunosuppressive medications—such as mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolate sodium, and/or prednisone—are working to slow lung scarring in people with certain types of interstitial lung disease. Researchers will use two special imaging techniques (a PET scan and an MRI scan) to look at collagen buildup in your lungs before you start the medication and again 12 weeks after starting it. This helps doctors understand whether the treatment is actually preventing or slowing the scarring process.

Currently, doctors don't have a reliable way to quickly measure whether these medications are stopping lung scarring—they usually have to wait months or years for changes to show up on standard imaging. This trial aims to develop better, faster imaging tools that can help doctors know sooner if a treatment is working for each patient.