A model of the human lung constructed with the help of tissue samples from 10 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients details changes in gene activity that precede evident fibrosis, a study reports. This model is a sort of genetic roadmap to IPF progression that may help researchers find treatments for…

When learning to live with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), mental health is an elephant in the room. Too often, it is ignored. Although it is becoming more prevalent among hospital care plans, it needs to be discussed more frequently. Learning to live with IPF has been the hardest thing…

Chronic viral infections caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7), and herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) increase the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but not of acute flares that mark disease worsening, according to data from a meta-analysis study. The study,…

A metabolic process called the mevalonate pathway may be a promising therapeutic target to fight idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to an early research study using mouse models and lung fluid collected from IPF patients. Researchers also suggest that lung injury may not be as key…

In 2014, before I received an official diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, I attended the wedding of my niece, Stefania, in Breckenridge, Colorado. The town’s elevation is 9,600 feet. Although my lung function at the time was 62 percent, my doctor gave me the all-clear to attend, but she prescribed…

Rare disease-themed videos glowed on a large screen before an audience of people in wheelchairs, with crutches, and bearing oxygen tanks this Nov. 9 and 10 in San Francisco. Disorder: The Rare Disease Film Festival strives to eventually host a film about every one of the nearly 7,000 rare…

I am home safe and sound after a whirlwind three days at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Summit in San Antonio. In a previous column, I wrote about why I was looking forward to attending the summit. Being among other PF patients and their caregivers was beneficial in…

Indalo Therapeutics’ lead investigational anti-fibrotic candidate, IDL-2965, is safe and shows favorable pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, and elimination in the body) in healthy people, according to interim results of a Phase 1/2a clinical trial. The results were presented at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Summit, held Nov. 7–9 in…

Exposure to dust in the workplace for 10 years or longer seems to have no detrimental effect on the response of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to anti-fibrotic treatment with Esbriet (pirfenidone) or Ofev (nintedanib), a study has found. The study “Antifibrotic treatment response and…

When I engage with the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community online, I frequently hear about the difficulties of living with an invisible illness. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible to convey my experience of living with this chronic lung condition, which is characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs, shortness…