News

An extract from an earthworm reduced inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs of mice exposed to silica, acting through known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecular pathways. The findings suggest the extract could be explored as a potential drug therapy for silicosis. The study, “Earthworm extract attenuates silica-induced pulmonary…

Inhibiting PARP-1 protein expression eased several symptoms of lung fibrosis in a mice model of the disease. These results suggest that PARP-1 inhibitors may carry therapeutic potential for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study, “HYDAMTIQ, a selective PARP-1 inhibitor, improves bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by dampening the TGF-β/SMAD signalling…

Mice that produce excessive amounts of an anticoagulant factor are somewhat protected against pulmonary fibrosis development, a finding that highlights the possibility of manipulating natural anti-clotting proteins in the fight against lung fibrosis. Experiments showed that high levels of the anticoagulant protein C caused fewer macrophage inflammatory cells to move…

Veracyte has announced the launch of its non-invasive test to improve the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, including  idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The soon-to-be commercially available test, Envisia Genomic Classifier, is reported to offer a faster and more accurate diagnosis than is currently available without the need for a lung biopsy. Data…

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a high risk of developing other health conditions, according to results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST 2016), held in Los Angeles Oct. 22-26. The results were presented under the title “Longitudinal…

The effectiveness of long-term treatment with the anti fibrotic drug Esbriet (pirfenidone) for more than 3 years does not depend on the forced vital capacity (FVC) at baseline in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a clinical trial called RECAP (NCT00662038).

Esbriet (pirfenidone) can be used as a long-term therapy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients with more severe loss of lung function, according to results presented at the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST 2016), held in Los Angeles from Oct. 22–26. The findings were described in the oral presentation, “…

Results from two Phase 3 studies, known as the INPULSIS trials, further confirmed the efficacy of Ofev (nintedanib) to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) regardless of disease severity. The results, from post-hoc pooled analyses of the trials, were recently presented at the CHEST 2016 Annual Meeting, running in Los Angeles through Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Mesenchymal stem cells show considerable potential as a means of treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but numerous issues need to be resolved before a stem cell approach might benefit patients. The study, “Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of chronic lung disease,” published in the journal Respirology, also underscored…

‘Exhale, Mindfully Manage Your IPF’ is a new initiative co-sponsored by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, and the international biotechnology firm Genentech. The program’s aim is to help people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and encourage…