The day after my mom, Holly, got on the transplant list, the doctor who had delivered the news said, “You’re at the top of the list. If we got lungs for you today, would you be ready?” It was scary to consider what stood between my mom and…
How I Prepared for ‘the Call’ as a Caregiver
Increased activity of certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that regulate cell behavior, may explain the risk for developing aggressive pulmonary fibrosis in people with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), a rare genetic disorder, according to new research. The study highlights MMP-2 and MMP-9. The findings suggest that these unique…
Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and learning to live with it is not for the faint of heart. There is an abundance of emotions that accompanies a diagnosis plagued by a grim prognosis and no cure. No one can prepare you for how it feels to hear the words,…
Even before I was officially diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), I could feel my health declining and my enthusiasm to complete yardwork diminishing. I always took great pride in my meticulously landscaped yard. When I moved into my wife’s house, I immediately tore up the yard, planted new…
Low levels of an enzyme associated with the rare childhood disorder sialidosis may lead to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to new research. The findings also suggest that NEU1 enzyme levels may help in determining fibrosis’ risk and likely prognosis. The study “…
Boehringer Ingelheim will add Bridge Biotherapeutics’ experimental inhibitor BBT-877 to its portfolio of potential therapies for fibrosing interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This follows the completion of a collaboration and global license agreement between the two companies for the development of BBT-877 for…
The type 2 diabetes medication metformin suppresses the production of collagen, and induces a switch in lung fibroblasts that is associated with quickened recovery from fibrosis, according to a preclinical study. The findings support the use of this medication in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The research,…
This year, the central focus of my life has been my mom needing — and then receiving — a double-lung transplant. I’ve met a lot of people whose lives are also revolving around a lung transplant: patients and family members, pre- and post-transplant. Since my sphere is full of these…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow the start of a Phase 2 clinical trial of treatment candidate GKT831 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). GKT831 is an orally available inhibitor of the NOX1 and NOX4 enzymes, and has been explored for the treatment of liver and kidney…
Maintaining friendships as a young adult is difficult due to time constraints imposed by the demands of young kids, a busy career, or care of aging parents. We’re all “guilty” of getting wrapped up in the daily activities of our lives. It’s not that we don’t want to spend time…
