New treatments in development offer hope for thousands of Canadian pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients after nearly a decade of anticipation.
With ongoing investigation into PF and other diseases that inflame and permanently scar lung tissue, researchers are hoping to stop the disease in its tracks and ease the suffering of more than 30,000 Canadians who struggle to breathe.
Potential to stop and reverse lung scarring a game changer for PF patients
After a decade since new treatments for PF were approved, there are exciting new opportunities in the drug development pipeline. Early results show that one medication may be able to stop PF – a deadly lung disease that damages and scars lung tissue irreversibly and reduces oxygen flow to the body – from killing more than 3,000 Canadians annually. Another medication is showing significant progress in reducing persistent cough, a symptom reported by 80 per cent of PF patients.
Current medications and treatment only slow progression for some patients and don’t stop or reverse the disease that causes patients to slowly lose their ability to breathe; producing significant discomfort, fatigue, and weakness. Ultimately, having PF means eventual death from the disease.
New treatments on the horizon showing outstanding promise* include:
- Boehringer Ingelheim’s FIBRONEER – this drug has shown great potential in Stage III Trials for slowing both pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring) and reducing inflammation.
- Trevi Therapeutics Haduvio – this medication in phase 2 clinical trial, is the first of its type focused on reducing the daytime cough frequency seen in 80% of PF patients. Clinical trials demonstrated a 75.1% reduction in persistent coughing.
- Pliant Therapeutics Bexotegrast – this oral pill is targeted at reducing scar formation (fibrosis) of the lungs and is being trialed over a 52-week period to determine potential benefits.
Ask a physician to “Tackle the Crackle” to aid early detection
For now, early diagnosis is vital to slowing down pulmonary fibrosis. Which is why it’s important that primary care professionals – as well as average Canadians – understand that PF can be identified using these basic symptoms:
- Persistent cough that won’t go away after more than three months
- Shortness of breath after physical activity that was typically not a problem
- Ongoing fatigue, weight loss
*It is important to note that ALL reported results are preliminary, with clinical trials ongoing. All research involves a certain level of risk, including the possibility that early indications do not prove efficacy.
Click here to learn more about clinical trials.
Click here to learn more about current pulmonary fibrosis treatments.