Forest Ray PhD,  —

Forest Ray received his PhD in systems biology from Columbia University, where he developed tools to match drug side effects to other diseases. He has since worked as a journalist and science writer, covering topics from rare diseases to the intersection between environmental science and social justice. He currently lives in Long Beach, California.

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Natural Plant Antioxidant Protects Cells From Processes of IPF

A molecule thought to be a natural antioxidant, pterostilbene (PTE) prevented signs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from occurring in a cell model of the disorder by regulating a protein called ASIC2, a study reported. This finding suggests that PTE and other compounds targeting the ASIC2 protein may have…

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Help Limit Inflammation in Mice

Stem cells found in human umbilical cords limited lung damage associated with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) by reducing an excessive inflammatory immune response, a recent study of mice has found. Understanding how these stem cells interact with the immune system could improve future PF cell therapies, the researchers noted. The…

Computerized Imaging Tool Helps ID New IPF Subtype

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) co-occurring with a second lung disorder represents a distinct new IPF subtype with a poor prognosis and its own set of treatment considerations, a recent study found. The discovery of this new IPF subtype, made with the help of a computerized image analysis tool, could…

Automated Imaging Method Seen to Accurately Capture PF Severity

A new, automated computer image analysis technique was able to accurately assess and measure the severity of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) using patients’ lung tissue samples, a study reported. According to its researchers, this technique may complement conventional measures of disease severity, and could prove useful in assessing a range…

NeRRe Raises £20M to Develop Orvepitant for IPF Chronic Cough

NeRRe Therapeutics has raised £20 million (nearly $28 million) to develop orvepitant as a treatment for the chronic cough that can impact quality of life for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Orvepitant’s efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough associated with reflex…

Extracellular Matrix Not Seen as Direct Cause of Cell Aging in IPF

Alterations in the extracellular matrix — the network of molecules that surrounds and supports cells — and cell aging, a process of called senescence, both contribute to tissue scarring in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a recent study. Yet, matrix changes do not lead to senescence, implying that…

Gefapixant Safe, But Failed to Reduce Cough Frequency

Gefapixant (MK-7264), an investigational cough suppressant, was safe and well-tolerated by patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but did not significantly reduce chronic coughing, according to data from a Phase 2 clinical trial. Results from this trial were shared in the study, “Treatment of Persistent Cough in Subjects…

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Studied as Potential Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can counteract some of the key features of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in mice and human lung cells, a recent study reveals. The findings suggest this treatment, involving the delivery of pure oxygen in a high pressure chamber, should be investigated more closely as a potential PF…

Blood Biomarker May Help Predict IPF Survival

Investigators have discovered a new biomarker in a molecule called cutaneous T-cell-attracting chemokine, or CTACK, that may help determine the course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The discovery was detailed in the study, “Cutaneous T-cell-attracting chemokine as a novel biomarker for predicting prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary…

Esopremazole for Acid Reflux May Ease IPF Inflammation, Scarring

The acid reflux medication esopremazole, commonly used to ease symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may be able to reduce lung scarring and inflammation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a recent study suggests. “Esomeprazole favorably regulates a network of genes involved in lung fibrosis [scarring],” according…