Author Archives: Steve Bryson PhD

A subset of fibroblasts that produce a protein called meflin in lung tissues taken from people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was found to prevent fibrosis, or tissue scarring, in a disease mouse model, scientists reported. “Our research, led by a collaborative team from Nagoya University in Japan and…

Changes in gene activity and immune cell populations in the lungs of people with chronic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), may predispose these patients to severe COVID-19, a study indicated. “Our results suggest that patients with chronic lung disease are molecularly primed to be more susceptible…

Enrollment has resumed, under a revised trial protocol, in the Phase 2b study GALACTIC-1, which is evaluating Galecto’s investigational inhaled therapy GB0139 in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Galecto in March had been advised to stop recruiting and treating certain trial participants after disparities were…

A computer analysis identified a tiny RNA molecule, or microRNA, as a potential therapeutic target to halt the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which was confirmed later in cell-based tests. Researchers now plan to use these results to develop new RNA-based therapeutics or small molecules with the potential…

A radioactive molecule that can be seen on positron emission tomography (PET) scans may offer a non-invasive way to identify and monitor pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a study in mice reported.  Further development of this radiotracer — which binds to activated fibroblasts in the lungs — could support its…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted United Therapeutics’ application for a priority review of Tyvaso DPI, an experimental dry powder inhaled formulation of treprostinil, to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). …

Scientists found that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) — cells that have similar properties to stem cells — individually coated with a soft microgel were able to reverse established lung tissue scarring in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis.  Their findings were reported in…

Scientists have found a small molecule, called ISRIB, that was able to reduce fibrosis (scarring) and other disease-related features in mice with induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). ISRIB successfully enhanced the repair process in lung cells that is altered in PF, especially…

Veracyte has presented new data demonstrating the diagnostic performance and utility of its Envisia Genomic Classifier to help distinguish idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The company is now…

While receiving treatment at specialized centers lowers the risk of hospitalization among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), being a former smoker and requiring oxygen therapy are both associated with a higher likelihood of hospitalization. These are some of the findings of multiple studies that Boehringer Ingelheim will…