Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Suppressing the production of a protein called NPAS2 eased signs of lung scarring (fibrosis) in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a new study showed. The NPAS2 gene, which codes for NPAS2, also was found to be more active in the lungs of IPF patients than in those…

Treatment with a molecule designed to activate the SHP-1 protein led to prolonged survival and alleviation of disease-associated lung changes in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study found. SHP-1 activation appeared to exert its protective effects by inhibiting the survival and pro-fibrotic activity of a…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light for Mabwell Therapeutics to launch a clinical trial testing 9MW3811, its injectable treatment candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and cancer, according to a company press release. Last month, the National Medical Products Administration in…

When used in a real-world setting, Ofev (nintedanib) significantly prolonged the survival of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, according to an analysis of Czech registry data. Yet, Ofev was not associated with a significant slowing of lung function decline or with other estimations of disease progression. Findings were…

Dosing is now complete in the Phase 2b GALACTIC-1 trial of GB0139 for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The trial, which finished enrolling participants about a year ago, is testing the safety and effectiveness of the inhaled treatment candidate against a placebo among IPF patients who are…

The dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds cells and gives structure to tissues may play an important role in the behavior of myofibroblasts, the connective tissue cells that are implicated in pulmonary fibrosis (PF), according to a recent study. “Our results underline the importance of the interactions…

Vyne Therapeutics‘ experimental inhaled therapy VYN201 led to significant reductions in lung fibrosis and improvements in lung function in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the company announced. “The data from this well-validated preclinical model of IPF clearly demonstrates VYN201’s potential to deliver a potent anti-inflammatory…

The use of aspirin, a common over-the-counter medicine, showed benefits in mouse and cell models of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in a recent study, reducing evidence of scarring. The medication seemed to exert its beneficial effects by promoting a cellular maintenance process called autophagy, during which cells break down and…

Certain populations of immune monocytes and macrophages may be important targets of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a study. In an IPF mouse model, into-the-vein MSC treatment appeared to prevent monocytes from becoming a type of macrophage thought to promote the buildup…

The highest tested dose of bexotegrast, an anti-fibrotic treatment candidate from Pliant Therapeutics, was found to best — and safely — improve lung function in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), outperforming all lower doses in a Phase 2a trial. Three-month data from the INTEGRIS-IPF trial (NCT04396756)…