Two molecules secreted by epithelial cells of the lungs — CST3 and GDF15 — “are bona fide regulators” of scarring processes and may point to a new way to treat pulmonary fibrosis, an early study reports. The study, “Epithelial cell-derived cytokines CST3 and GDF15 as potential therapeutics…
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Treatment with Esbriet (pirfenidone, Genentech) or Ofev (nintedanib, Boehringer Ingelheim), or with steroids was found to be safe for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients needing a bilateral lung transplant (BLTx), a study reports. The research, “Effect of Antifibrotics on Short-Term Outcome after Bilateral Lung…
The FOXM1 gene is a driver of lung fibroblast proliferation and activation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a new study shows. The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting FOXM1 for pulmonary fibrosis treatment. The study “FOXM1 is a critical driver of lung fibroblast activation and fibrogenesis” was published in…
Like many of those living with serious chronic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), Marj Korn depends on nurses to help her through the difficult journey. “They have always been kind and made sure to make me as comfortable as possible,” said the former senior recruitment manager. “I need…
The University of Virginia recently launched the Fibrosis Initiative, a platform intended to support and mobilize researchers to collaborate and conduct studies focused on fibrosis. This program is expected to expand knowledge on fibrosis and lead to potentially groundbreaking discoveries that could open up new therapeutic opportunities. “In many…
Treatment with regulatory T-cells (Tregs), a subset of cells from the immune system, is able to resolve lung fibrosis in a mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to researchers. Their findings support additional investigation of cell-based therapies to treat IPF in…
At least 800 people representing some 45 countries are soon expected to gather in Austria’s capital city, Vienna, for ECRD 2018, the 9th European Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products. The May 10-12 meeting is sponsored by Eurordis, the Paris-based group that defines itself as a “patient-driven alliance”…
A combined treatment, pirfenidone and rapamycin, worked to prevent fibrosis in lung fibroblasts from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, new research showed, suggesting a possibly more effective way of treating IPF. The study, “Anti-fibrotic effects of pirfenidone and…
The Hastings Foundation has donated $12.5 million to the University of Southern California (USC) Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research to help advance research and development of new strategies to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other lung diseases. This second donation follows a previous gift of $7.5 million in 2014,…
Transplantation of stem cells derived from adipose (fat) tissue in an animal model of silica dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis led to remission of the disease, as well as a reduction in inflammation and cell death, a new study shows. The study reporting the findings, “Transplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal…
