I Take Extra Steps to Protect My Lungs as a Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient

Before my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis in early 2016, I was oblivious to the importance of caring for my respiratory health. While it is easy to conclude that the respiratory system is required for human survival, I think many people take healthy lungs and the ability to…

Reduced levels of decorin proteins in the blood may be linked to a lower risk of death among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who have experienced acute exacerbations, researchers suggest. Their findings were reported in the study, “Serum decorin is a potential prognostic biomarker in…

Bridge Biotherapeutics filed an investigational new drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to start a Phase 1 trial of its idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment candidate BBT-877 in January. BBT-877 is an inhibitor of the enzyme autotaxin (ATX). This enzyme is relevant…

I’m excited to share that my book, “Pulmonary Fibrosis Journey: A Counselor and Fellow Patient Walks with You,” was released a few days ago. It was a labor of love and I’m so glad I wrote it. Why I wrote it I was a mess when I…

Evidence that the IGFBP-5 protein contributes to the development of pulmonary fibrosis was supported by new research finding that its higher-than-normal levels in people with fibrotic disease help to drive other pro-fibrotic proteins and factors. The study, “IGFBP-5 Promotes Fibrosis via Increasing Its Own Expression and That…

A new small molecule inhibitor of the LOXL2 enzyme, developed by Pharmaxis, is safe and holds potential to treat fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), according to results from a Phase 1 trial. The study (ACTRN12617001564347) enrolled 48 healthy volunteers who were…

Redx Pharma announced it soon give an update on early work on a potentially new type of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment, called RXC006, that may help patients with advanced disease. Peter Bunyard, PhD, the company’s head of fibrosis, will present preclinical data at the 2nd Anti-Fibrotic…

It’s no secret that chronic illness complicates the lives of patients, regardless of the disease. While illnesses have many recognized symptoms, only patients are aware of the lesser-known complexities of each one. Since my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis, I have been consistently learning and adjusting to what…

Ofev (nintedanib) shows a similar ability to reduce lung function decline in patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as those with milder disease, according to a real-world clinical study. However, a higher number of patients with advanced IPF stopped Ofev treatment. The study, “Efficacy and…

One of my goals as a pulmonary fibrosis patient is to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Regularly exercising has helped me immensely. I actually feel better than I used to. At first, I thought my doctor was crazy when he referred me…