Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Activating a dopamine receptor on fibroblast cells (connective tissue cells) may help slow, or even reverse, fibrosis in mice, a study suggests. The study, “Selective YAP/TAZ inhibition in fibroblasts via dopamine receptor D1 agonism reverses fibrosis,” was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Fibrosis — abnormal…

MN-001, a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), will soon have patent protections in China. MediciNova, the company developing MN-001 (tipelukast), received a Notice of Allowance from the Chinese Patent Office, which means that the company’s application fulfills all necessary requirements. Once issued, the patent is expected to…

Esbriet (pirfenidone) shows similar benefits for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in real-world settings as it does in clinical trials, a new study shows. “Pirfenidone in real life: A retrospective observational multicentre study in Italian patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis” was published in the journal…

Men who are active smokers and experience faster respiratory decline when diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at greater risk to develop lung cancer, according to a study. Clinicians should be aware of this risk pattern in order to detect and treat lung cancer early in IPF patients, as…

Low body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for nausea and diarrhea as side effects of Ofev (nintedanib) treatment in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study has found. These results also suggest that lower performance status and a full starting dosage are risk factors…

Taking Esbriet (pirfenidone) to manage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) does not increase the risk of heart problems or interfere with commonly used cardiovascular medications, an analysis found. Results of the analysis were published in the journal Advances In Therapy in an article titled, “Cardiovascular Risks,…

When idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) runs in families, it tends to begin earlier in life and be more severe, a recent study reported. The study,”Clinical characteristics of patients with familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (f-IPF),” was published in the journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine. As its name…

A less toxic precursor formulation of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel can reduce lung fibrosis in mice with pulmonary fibrosis, a study shows. The finding suggests that this compound, named baccatin III or BAC, has the potential to represent a new treatment strategy for…

The use of oxygen at rest is associated with a greater likelihood of death or lung transplant in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study shows. The results also showed that lower lung function at the start of the study, as measured by tests like forced vital…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy designation to PRM-151, a compound being investigated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). PRM-151 is a recombinant (lab-made) version of the protein pentraxin-2. This protein acts on immune cells called macrophages; it can activate these cells to…