People carrying a genetic variant of the gene coding for Mucin 5B — a component of lung mucus and needed for cellular function — are at increased risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to a recent study. In this variant, the nucleotide guanine, one of the building…
Increased Risk of IPF Found for Patients With Mucin 5B Genetic Variant
Two protein kinases, called DCLK1 and STK33, may serve as candidates for a molecular targeted therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a study reported. Current anti-fibrotic therapies for IPF have been shown to slow disease progression. One such approved treatment, Ofev (nintedanib), works by blocking the tyrosine kinase. But…
It’s been nearly a year since the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases released its expansive report finding the total economic burden of rare disorders in the U.S. to be nearly $1 trillion.
The inhalation of tiny plastic particles called polystyrene microplastics — an emerging pollutant that affects both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems — was associated with the development of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in healthy mice, a study shows. Notably, these microplastics were found to promote oxidative stress and damage to lung cells,…
Last month, I suffered a significant injury to my left knee. I had just parked outside a medical building for an appointment. The sun was setting on a relatively mild Canadian winter day, and I slipped on a patch of black ice, dislocating my patella and falling hard onto the…
Boehringer Ingelheim Canada has finished negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) — a partnership between the country’s provincial, territorial and federal governments — for Ofev (nintedanib), the company’s approved oral medication for progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILD). The pCPA conducts negotiations with drug manufacturers for treatments…
During the course of having idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or any other rare disease, the role of the caregiver requires a large measure of patience, an ability to multitask, and the capability to pivot without knowing what lies ahead. Caregivers, whether working alone or as part of a team,…
C21 (VP01), Vicore Pharma’s investigational oral therapy, safely and effectively improves or stabilizes lung function in previously untreated adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to interim data from the open-label Phase 2 AIR trial. “Based on the mechanism of action of C21, which has both vascular and…
An analysis of gene activity profiles in lung tissue has identified important drivers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The genes discovered in this integrative analysis may predict disease outcomes and be used as potential therapeutic targets for new anti-fibrotic treatments, according to researchers. The study, “Integrative…
Since 2008, Rare Disease Day — the last day of February — has brought together patients, caregivers, family members, friends, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and improve equity for the more than 7,000 known rare diseases that affect more than 300 million people. In 2022, the…
