Researchers discovered that mice exposed to bleomycin — a common pulmonary fibrosis model — displayed more intense fibrotic activity if they lacked the signaling factor PTEN. The findings suggest that exploring the signaling pathway involving PTEN might offer new insights into disease mechanisms, and aid the search for new treatment…
Hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) deletion from fibrotic fibroblasts induces senescence (gradual deterioration) in the cells and fibrotic clearance in mouse models of lung fibrosis. The findings, reported in the study “Hyaluronan synthase 2 regulates fibroblast senescence in pulmonary fibrosis” and published in the journal Matrix Biology, suggest…
Nintedanib (marketed as OFEV by Boehringer Ingelheim) has shown very good results in clinical trials in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Nevertheless, some patients still experience disease exacerbation when treated with the drug. A case study described the successful reinstallation of the drug after an exacerbation — raising hopes…
Men have higher rates of pulmonary fibrosis than women and tend to have a poorer survival. A study showed that mice exposed to silica, a known lung fibrosis trigger, have some sex-specific differences in their expression of the fibrotic factor SPP1, indicating that female sex hormones might alter molecular characteristics…
Synairgen, plc, recently reported positive data from its ongoing work, in partnership with Pharmaxis, to develop a lysyl oxidase type 2 enzyme (LOXL2) inhibitor as a new treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The results were derived from experiments in an in vitro model of IPF, using patients’ lung cells,…
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…
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