C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is already known to protect against fibrosis in heart tissue. Researchers from the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Japan, have now shown that CNP can also improve lung fibrosis in a mouse model by preventing the formation of myofibroblasts. Given the importance of fibroblast cells in the…
A new study shed light on a growth factor that might protect lung cells in pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers from Shanghai, China, found that fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10) prevented damage in rat lung cells, and may also direct the development of lung stem cells. The study, “Fibroblast Growth Factor-10…
Clinicians managing people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are left with few options once the disease seriously progresses despite pirfenidone treatment. Now, a study shows that continuing treatment is the best way to move forward, as it is likely to prevent an even greater decline in lung function and keep death at bay. The…
Supporters of the pulmonary fibrosis (PF) community and Broadway stars came together for the PF Foundation (PFF)’s sixth annual “Broadway Belts for PFF!” fundraising event, which raised $180,000. All proceeds will go to a Foundation fund to support idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis research, education and advocacy . The late February event was held at New York’s Edison…
FibroGen, Inc., recently disclosed potentially groundbreaking results from a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the company’s investigational drug FG-3019 in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Data indicated that the monoclonal antibody agent was able to reduce lung fibrosis in a portion of the IPF patients enrolled, to…
The heart’s right ventricle in systemic sclerosis patients is impaired when compared to people without the disease, according to a study titled “Impact of pulmonary fibrosis and elevated pulmonary pressures on right ventricular function in patients with systemic sclerosis,” published in the journal Rheumatology. Patients with systemic…
VolitionRx recently reported preliminary results from a pilot study showing that its NuQ blood assay was capable of detecting 86 percent of relevant idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) cases among the 78 participants of a clinical trial at Liège University Hospital. The NuQ test utilizes the company’s proprietary Nucleosomics technology platform, which identifies and measures circulating fragments…
In a recent study titled “UK asbestos imports and mortality due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” researchers highlighted the need for more accurate and specific methods of diagnosing and separating asbestosis from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study was published in the journal Occupational Medicine. The World Health Organization considers…
Galectin Therapeutics, Inc., announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application “Method for Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis” — number 13/999,389 — on its lead compound GR-MD-02. Galectin Therapeutics is currently developing carbohydrate-based therapies to treat…
A recent study showed that worsening symptoms of lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis patients is linked to high levels of antibodies against the chemokine receptors Cxcr3 and Cxcr4. The results were revealed at the 4th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress held in Lisbon, Portugal, Feb. 18-20 in the presentation “Antibodies against chemokine…
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