A protein called cadherin-11 (CDH11) ties together macrophages and myofibroblasts in an “eternal hug” in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, promoting a profibrotic environment, a study shows. Therapies that target CDH11 and break the “hug” between the two cell types may help stop this profibrotic process. The…
Specific Protein Promotes Cell Interaction that Fuels Profibrotic Environment, Study Finds
A large, multi-center clinical trial testing the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole as a therapy for cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients seems achievable and justified, according to results of a single-center pilot trial. The pilot study also suggests the need to screen large patient numbers and monitor adverse side…
It’s no secret that I love to travel. Upon receiving my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis in 2016, my biggest fear was that this cruel lung disease would take away my physical ability to explore the world. While IPF has certainly changed how I travel, I am grateful…
The tolerability and safety of Ofev (nintedanib) and Esbriet (pirfenidone) treatments in a small group of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in South England were found to be similar to real-world data. The research confirmed the safety of both IPF therapies. The retrospective study, “South-West…
All pulmonary fibrosis patients require supplemental oxygen as our disease progresses. As scarring in our lungs worsens, we need extra oxygen to stay alive. Starting using oxygen I was shocked when my doctor told me that I needed to use supplemental oxygen, which involves rolling a tank around…
Synairgen announced it successfully completed three-month toxicity studies on LOXL2 (lysyl oxidase like 2) inhibitor candidates for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The LOXL2 program, developed in collaboration with Pharmaxis, may move into Phase 2 trials. Synairgen and Pharmaxis began their collaboration in 2015 to develop…
There is no question that living with pulmonary fibrosis is exhausting for patients and caregivers alike. Those who may not have any experience with PF might assume that it is only a physically limiting disease. I would have thought the same before my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis in…
Bridge Biotherapeutics’ investigational therapy candidate BBT-877 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been awarded orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the company, BBT-877 is a best-in-class autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, and a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic treatment for IPF. Studies have shown…
Blocking the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-β) prevents lung fibrosis in a mice model of pulmonary fibrosis, a study says. Based on these observations, scientists believe that PDGFR-β blockade may someday be a viable therapeutic option for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The findings of the study, “Blockade…
A new subtype of immune cells carrying a unique genetic profile was identified and found to have an important role in the progression of fibrosis in the lungs, a study reports. The study, “Reference-based analysis of lung single-cell sequencing reveals a transitional profibrotic macrophage,” was published in…
