Proliferation and inflammation of human lung fibroblasts is controlled by small RNA molecules called long non-coding RNAs, a study reports. The study, “Long intergenic non-coding RNAs regulate human lung fibroblast function: Implications for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” was published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. While the cause of…

The New York State Department of Health has authorized the use of Veracyte‘s Envisia Genomic Classifier, the first commercially available test to help distinguish idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from other interstitial lung diseases (ILD), without the need for risky surgery. Authorization takes effect immediately, making the Envisia…

A disease is considered rare in the United States when it affects fewer than 200,000 people (fewer than about 1 in 1,635 people), according to the Rare Diseases Act of 2002. The European Union considers a disease rare if it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Other…

Even before I received my official diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the thought of death consumed me. I had trouble sleeping. I would lie awake at night for several hours tossing and turning before finally falling asleep. The restlessness was a symptom of the IPF; the thoughts of…

Indalo Therapeutics has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial testing the company’s lead antifibrotic candidate IDL-2965 for patients with fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory liver disease. The biopharmaceutical company announced it has now dosed the first healthy volunteer in the…

Many patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are switching from Esbriet (pirfenidone) to Ofev (nintedanib) discontinue treatment, especially if they are underweight or have anorexia while being treated with Esbriet, a Japanese study says. The findings, “Negative impact of anorexia and weight loss during prior pirfenidone…

The pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community is invited to attend the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation‘s PFF Summit, which is the largest healthcare meeting on PF, offering data on the latest research. Attendees will get the chance to learn more about the potential of DNA sequencing and targeted therapies to…

We learn the most important lessons in the most difficult times, and I’m grateful to have had opportunities to live those lessons and share them with others. An internet search of popular life lessons showed me the following: It’s not all about you. Your health is your most…

Rare variants in genes that regulate the end regions of chromosomes — called telomeres — are linked with worse survival rates after lung transplant in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients, a study suggests. The study, “Lung Transplant Outcomes in Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients with Telomere-Related Gene Variants” was published in the…

Before receiving my official diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I was confident in my knowledge of it. Since it was suggested as a potential diagnosis, I spent many hours researching all facets of the disease. I was amazed by how many people were affected by IPF, yet so…