Let’s Treat Ourselves with Kindness

A pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis is difficult, to say the least. You need kindness, not just for others, but also for yourself. It helps to be compassionate with yourself during the stressful, scary, and difficult times. Talking to yourself with kindness is a powerful form of self-compassion. Kind truths…

Pharmaxis’ first small molecule inhibitor of LOXL2 (lysyl oxidase like 2), an enzyme that promotes fibrosis in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, was found safe and well-tolerated in healthy volunteers participating in a Phase 1 trial, the company announced. Additionally, treatment with the LOXL2 inhibitor, called…

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved meeting new people. My siblings and I each have unique talents. One of my brothers is exceptionally talented at music. He can pick up any instrument, learn to play it by ear, and join in any jam session.

Treatment with Esbriet (pirfenidone) can effectively benefit patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who have more advanced lung function impairment, by preventing a decline in exercise capacity and worsening of shortness of breath (dyspnea). Those findings, taken from additional analysis of Phase 3 clinical trial data, were discussed…

Half a year has gone by since disgraced pharma executive Martin Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for securities and wire fraud while heading San Diego-based Retrophin. As founder and CEO of another company (then known as Turing Pharmaceuticals), in late 2015 Shkreli bought the rights…

Two years ago, I let my colleagues know that I was closing my counseling practice of 30 years due to serious health concerns. A therapist I’d collaborated with in the past left me the most wonderful voicemail. She encouraged me about the positive impact I’d had in the…

Ofev, an approved therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), can prevent the progression of squamous cell carcinoma in the lungs associated with IPF, a case study reports. The study, “Nintedanib prevented fibrosis progression and lung cancer growth in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis” was published in the journal…

Studies supporting an investigational new drug (IND) application for X-165, a potential candidate for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic disorders, have been completed, X-Rx recently announced. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an IND application permits the manufacturer to transport…

Ed. note: A continuation of the monthly “Gratitude Miniseries.” As September drew to a close, I was preparing this column by intending to say the month was full of all good things. That was before I learned that a close friend and colleague had died of complications…

Combining Ofev (nintedanib, marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim) with sildenafil does not offer additional clinical benefits when compared to Ofev treatment alone regarding quality of life and lung function in patients with idiopathic…