At 12:06 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2015, the much-anticipated phone call came. I knew what the call pertained to as soon as I saw the first digits on the phone’s screen. The caller identified himself as a nurse coordinator from Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center and then handed the phone over…
‘Gonna Live My Life’: A New PF News Column That Tells My Story
Vitamin D deficiency in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with functional and clinical predictors of disease severity and a higher risk of mortality, according to a new study. The findings also revealed that vitamin D is able to partially prevent lung fibrosis in a mouse model.
A protein called PU.1 plays a central role in the deposition of connective tissue during fibrosis, according to new research. The findings also suggested that blocking PU.1 may be a therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic disorders. The study, “PU.1 controls fibroblast polarization and…
It’s cold and flu season, and unfortunately, people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and compromised immune systems are bound to get sick. Despite our best efforts, it is likely that we’ll end up with the flu, a cold, or a more serious respiratory illness such as pneumonia. It…
Scores of events are afoot worldwide to mark Feb. 28, Rare Disease Day 2019. The activities aim to raise awareness about rare diseases and the millions of people — estimates run as high as 350 million — they are thought to impact. Across countries, patients, caregivers and advocates will paint faces, wear…
Evotec and Galapagos will work together to develop a strategy to target fibrosis affecting several organs, the companies announced. The collaboration will focus on the development of small molecules designed to specifically target a new fibrosis biomarker identified and validated with Evotec’s proprietary platforms for fibrotic diseases…
A new online platform that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients, their friends, family, and caretakers to connect and get information about the disease, was launched recently by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) and Responsum Health. The service is free and its purpose is to offer PF patients access to trusted…
Canada’s SQI Diagnostics and the University Health Network (UHN) will work together to advance the development and approval of new rapid protein assays and a point-of-care (POC) diagnostic device to help surgeons assess the viability of lungs and other organs for transplant. This could represent an important step…
Last week I wrote about how difficult it is to face reality as my pulmonary fibrosis progresses. This process has involved letting go of control as I face how little I can do now. The most striking example of…
Elderly patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have high morbidity and mortality, and experience a variety of comorbidities both before and after receiving their diagnosis, a study finds. The findings of the study, “Characterizing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients using US Medicare-advantage health plan claims data,” were published in…
