It wasn’t until Gordana Loleska’s son David was 14 years old that doctors in their native North Macedonia diagnosed his kidney, vision, and hearing problems as Alport syndrome. Although she had known for years that something was wrong, the news that David would battle a lifelong rare disease devastated…
A signaling molecule called interleukin-25 (IL-25) was found to support lung fibroblast proliferation and promote lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice, a study shows. The findings suggest that blocking IL-25 may prevent many of the hallmark features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), representing a new therapeutic target for this…
A pulmonary rehabilitation program lowers the risk of mortality among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after lung transplant, as well as reduces their need for ventilation support and the time they spend in the intensive care unit after the procedure, a new study reports. The findings of the study,…
Advocacy and discussions about mental health on social media platforms feel very “trendy” at the moment. It’s a good thing — it is vital that we talk about mental health and raise awareness about the need to care for our minds as well as our bodies. As a patient living…
Gli proteins can trigger fibroblast activation and support their role in promoting fibrosis in the lungs in response to damage to the airspaces, a study in mice shows. The study, “Gli signaling pathway modulates fibroblast activation and facilitates scar formation in pulmonary fibrosis,” was published in the journal…
At some point in every person’s life, death becomes part of their story. The unexpected death of a family member or friend is traumatizing. You wake up in a world of grief and confusion, which you must confront and reconcile over and over again. There is no easy way to…
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) oral treatment candidate PLN-74809 can prevent the activation of the pro-fibrotic protein TGF-beta by up to 70% in healthy volunteers, according to final results of a Phase 1b trial. Being developed by Pliant Therapeutics, PLN-74809 is a small molecule and selective inhibitor of the…
Life with a fatal lung disease like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is very unpredictable. I thrive in routine, familiarity, and structure, so I have difficulty accepting that this disease can force instant changes. I’m still working on learning to let go of what I cannot control, like an…
A less toxic precursor formulation of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel can reduce lung fibrosis in mice with pulmonary fibrosis, a study shows. The finding suggests that this compound, named baccatin III or BAC, has the potential to represent a new treatment strategy for…
A violinist with vasculitis, two Texas politicians and a pharmaceutical company whose marijuana-derived therapy helps kids with Dravet syndrome were among winners of the 2019 Rare Impact Awards. Officials of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) presented the awards during a June 22 dinner attended by…
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