Basal stem cell variant may be therapeutic target in IPF, study finds

Researchers have discovered a variant of the usual basal stem cells found in the lungs that may contribute to scarring, or fibrosis, in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — and which may be a therapeutic target to slow disease progression. The team found that these basal stem cells,…

Have you ever tried to explain to someone who has never experienced a rare disease how patients can develop lasting relationships with their care team? I have, and it’s often met with skepticism. Many people see their physicians only once or twice a year. But that isn’t the case for…

patientMpower and Qureight have joined forces to accelerate the discovery of new prognostic markers for interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), a group of lung diseases characterized by scarring and inflammation that includes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The collaboration will harness Qureight’s artificial intelligence (AI) capability along with patientMpower’s…

When I first began experiencing symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), my condition worsened quickly and kept me from doing many activities I enjoyed. And yet, it took 13 months for me to receive a diagnosis. This time frame felt like an eternity and left me and…

Dosing is complete in the Phase 3 REBUILD clinical trial testing INOpulse (inhaled nitric oxide) in people with pulmonary fibrosis at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. In the blinded part of the study, which is now complete, participants were randomly assigned to receive nitric oxide or a placebo administered…

One of my fears about my pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is how vulnerable I am to catching any virus that presents itself. I recently had to face this fear. I’m finally returning after battling a long haul of pneumonia. It was a painful…

A pulmonary fibrosis journey is marked by many firsts, especially in relation to medical tests. Prior to my diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, I had a primary care physician, a gastroenterologist who performed routine colonoscopies, and a surgeon who repaired a hernia. That…

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is urging patients to use only federally approved oxygen delivery devices, as nonprescription supplemental oxygen may be unreliable and cause serious health problems. In a position statement, the organization said that those living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and related disorders should stick…

The dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds cells and gives structure to tissues may play an important role in the behavior of myofibroblasts, the connective tissue cells that are implicated in pulmonary fibrosis (PF), according to a recent study. “Our results underline the importance of the interactions…

What do you do with information you didn’t necessarily ask for or expect? While attending support group meetings or scanning social media groups for those with pulmonary fibrosis, I often hear or read comments from people struggling with their emotions. They may be newly diagnosed or recently denied a…