Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

A large-scale analysis of multiple genome-wide studies has identified three new gene variants — mutations in DNA sequences — associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a study reported. Two of these genetic variants are not directly linked to fibrosis,…

A decline in back muscle mass is linked to poor clinical outcomes in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and can be used as an independent predictor of disease prognosis, a study found.  The study, “Early decrease…

A high number of bacteria in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is linked to disease progression and to an increased risk of mortality, a study found. The study, “Bacterial burden in the lower airways predicts disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and…

Blocking production of the enzyme JNK1 in cells lining the lungs’ airways protected mice from developing induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and almost completely reversed tissue fibrosis (scarring) in a mouse model, a study shows. The study, “Airway epithelial specific deletion of Jun-N-terminal kinase 1 attenuates…

Low daily doses of Esbriet (pirfenidone), less than 1200 mg per day, are equally effective at slowing lung function decline in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as higher daily doses, a real-world analysis found.  Lower doses may help to limit therapy…

No significant differences in survival rates, extending out 10 years, were found in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients given either a single- or double-lung transplant, a study reports. These findings, based on data cover more than 2,000 IPF patients who underwent either, suggest a bias in studies favoring a…

Simultaneous inhibition of two signaling pathways mediated by TGF-beta1 and periostin can halt progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in mice, a new study reveals.  The study, “The Cross-Talk Between TGF-β and Periostin Can Be Targeted for Pulmonary Fibrosis,” was published in…

Genetic screening that can identify variants of the mucin-causing MUC5B gene — the key risk factor that predisposes people for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — may hold the key to the development and administration of targeted therapies that may prevent the disease before it can progress…

Efforts to optimize treatments to address critical challenges in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been given a boost by a more than CA$670,000 grant to support a collaborative project between Ceapro and academic researchers at McMaster…

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases the risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), particularly in male patients with Crohn’s disease, a large-scale population study shows.  The study, “Increased Risk of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis…