Adding co-trimoxazole or doxycycline — two broad-spectrum antibiotics — to standard care does not significantly slow lung function decline or prolong survival in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a review study has found. This approach was instead associated with a higher risk of side effects, specifically gastrointestinal issues.
With reasonable safety, Ofev (nintedanib) slowed lung function decline in Japanese patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), according to a subgroup analysis of the Phase 3 INBUILD trial. Overall, this analysis provides further assurance to clinicians in Japan on Ofev’s benefits to patients there, with “no new…
A large and multi-ethnic database, reported to be the first of its kind for rare lung diseases, is now compiling real-world clinical and imaging data on people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) from centers across the globe. Launched by the Open Source Imaging Consortium (OSIC),…
A newly launched non-profit institute is seeking to advance research, and the development of new therapies, for people with rare diseases — a patient community with some of the largest therapeutic needs, but one that is often left behind. Named the Institute for Life Changing Medicines, the project was…
A single dose of the investigational oral therapy PLN-74809 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) achieved therapeutic target engagement of up to 98% in the lungs of patients, according to interim results of a Phase 2a trial. At all doses tested, the anti-fibrotic, or anti-scarring, therapy engaged its intended target…
Blocking the activity of a cell death-suppressing protein called Bcl-2 promoted the death of macrophages — a type of immune cell involved in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) — and reversed established lung scarring in a mouse model, a study showed. Notably, Bcl-2’s anchoring at the surface of macrophage mitochondria was…
Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…
A trio of global companies is teaming up to develop an inhaled dry powder formulation of SF2523, an investigational small molecule that blocks the activity of two fibrosis-driving proteins that may help block tumor growth and ease lung scarring and inflammation. SF2523 is being developed as a treatment for…
In preclinical studies, PRS-220, Pieris Pharmaceuticals’ experimental inhaled therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), showed stronger lung tissue penetration and anti-scarring effects than pamrevlumab — an into-the-vein, mechanistically similar IPF therapy currently being tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial. These promising findings, which support Pieris’…
A new service, Bionews Clinical is seeking to bring more patients into relevant clinical trials by helping all involved — scientists, pharmaceutical companies, people with diseases — regard these studies as part of continuing care. “Today what happens is that the conversation about patients participating in a clinical trial is…
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