15th Anniversary National Workshop on Infection, Immunity & Inflammation (3Is) and Cardiovascular Disease; Translating Mechanistic Discovery into Clinical and Public Health Impact
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
15 Years of Progress — and the Road Ahead
In September 2010, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Center for Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics at Boston University jointly convened a landmark workshop—“3Is (Infection, Immunity, Inflammation) and Atherothrombosis: Improving Patient Care”—that catalyzed a generation of scientific inquiry. That gathering established a foundational framework recognizing chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and infectious triggers as mechanistic drivers of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease (ATCVD) operating alongside—and independent of—classical lipid risk factors. Since that last NHLBI workshop in 2010, the field of CVD, particularly related to inflammation, infection, and immunity (the 3 Is), has advanced substantially. Research has deepened our understanding of the mechanisms underlying CVD. Major conferences by the likes of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have hosted our mini-workshops, fostering ongoing discussions and disseminating emerging findings. These efforts have paved the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, but translating these discoveries into clinical practice remains a critical challenge.
Fifteen years on, the landscape has been transformed. Landmark clinical trials — CANTOS, COLCOT, LoDoCo2, and RESCUE — have validated inflammatory pathways as bona fide therapeutic targets for stable atherosclerosis, and multiple novel agents including upstream NLRP3 inhibitors are being developed. However, not all trials have been positive, including the CIRT trial of methotrexate and the CLEAR-SYNERGY trial of colchicine in acute myocardial infarction. Further, preliminary data from the ZEUS trial of the downstream IL-6 ligand inhibitor ziltivekimab indicates no benefit on ASCVD events in a group of patients with CKD and advanced atherosclerotic disease. Thus, finding the right anti-inflammatory intervention in the right patient group remains a clinical challenge. Also, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and advanced immunophenotyping have mapped the immune cell repertoire of the atherosclerotic plaque with unprecedented resolution. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the catastrophic intersection of acute infection, systemic immune activation, and cardiovascular injury on a global scale. Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has emerged as a novel nexus linking somatic mutation, innate immune dysregulation, and accelerated atherogenesis. Anti-cytokine therapies, colchicine, JAK inhibitors, and emerging NLRP3 inflammasome blockers now populate the clinical pipeline. Yet fundamental questions persist. For example, how do pathogen-associated molecular patterns, microbiome dysbiosis, and trained immunity reprogram cardiovascular risk over years and decades? What immune checkpoints govern the resolution—versus perpetuation—of vascular inflammation? How do sex, ancestry, socioeconomic adversity, and aging modulate the 3Is–CVD interface? Can precision immunology yield patient-stratified therapies that reduce residual cardiovascular risk without impairing host defense? This national workshop will convene the foremost basic scientists, translational investigators, clinical trialists, and public health leaders in the field to synthesize current knowledge, identify critical knowledge gaps, and chart a bold research agenda for the next decade. The proceedings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed cardiovascular journal.
Need: Despite progress in understanding the role of the 3Is in CVD, gaps persist in effectively translating research into practice. The integration of machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and designer drug development into cardiovascular care presents both challenges and opportunities. There is a pressing need to convene experts to evaluate recent advancements, discuss translational strategies, and develop a road map for the next decade to ensure these innovations improve patient outcomes.
Opportunity: This workshop provides a platform to:
- Review the progress made since 2010, assessing the impact on clinical guidelines and practices.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and industry leaders.
- Explore cutting-edge technologies, including AI and precision medicine, to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
- Develop strategic frameworks for implementing discoveries and innovations in clinical settings, focusing on sustainable and equitable healthcare solutions.
Reason for the workshop: By bringing together leading experts and stakeholders, the workshop will:
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across disciplines.
- Identify practical approaches to accelerating the translation of research findings into practical interventions and diagnostics.
- Address ethical, regulatory, and logistical challenges in implementing new technologies.
- Support the development of updated clinical guidelines that reflect current research and innovations.
Objectives:
- Evaluate Progress: Assess significant advancements in understanding and managing the 3Is (Infection, Immunity, Inflammation) in relation to CVD.
- Explore Cutting-Edge Research: Highlight emerging technologies and methodologies, including ML and AI, in cardiovascular research.
- Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage cross-disciplinary partnerships to accelerate innovation and clinical translation.
- Chart Future Directions: Develop a strategic road map for the next decade in research, policy, and clinical practice.
Summary: The workshop will serve as a pivotal event to shape the future of cardiovascular health, emphasizing the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice. By addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the integration of novel technologies, the workshop aims to foster a collaborative and innovative environment that propels the field of cardiovascular medicine forward.
Chair and Co-Chairs
- Dr. Peter Libby Chair
- Dr. Gabielle Fredman Co-Chair
- Dr. Salomon Amar Co-Chair
NHLBI Program Leads
- Dr. Ahmed A.K. Hasan
- Dr. Jue Chen
Date(s)/Time(s):
September 16, 2026: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
September 17, 2026: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Platform: Zoom
Contact: For questions or to request reasonable accommodations to participate in this forum, please email Susan Holbrook at sholbrook@seiservices.com.