New, Targeted Approach in Lung Cancer Treatment
Scientists have identified a key molecular player in a subtype of lung cancer which could lead to a new way to tackle the disease, according to research published in Nature Communications.
All news from Pulmonary Medicine
First Mouse Model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis was Developed
The biggest hurdle to finding effective therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a life-threatening condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing is increasingly difficult – has been the inability to fully model the disease in animals, limiting the ability to observe and understand the disease.
Now, a team of researchers from Penn Medicine has developed the first mouse model with an IPF-associated mutation, which induces scarring and other damage similar to what is observed in humans suffering from the condition. The findings are published this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
About 40% Women are Suffering from ACOS, Findings
Women who had smoked more than the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes a day for five years, were much more likely to develop ACOS than those who smoked fewer cigarettes or never smoked. But the condition can affect the non-smokers too.
Mepolizumab (Nucala) for Severe Eosinophilic Asthma in Kids
The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has recommended approval of mepolizumab (Nucala, GlaxoSmithKline) as an adjunctive treatment for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma in children aged 6 to 17 years, according to a company news release.
COPD: Autoimmunity Plays Role in A Major Role
Autoimmunity plays a role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study led by Georgia State University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center that analyzed human genome information stored in Vanderbilt's DNA biobank. The findings are published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology.
Mepolizumab for COPD, FDA Panel Against the Recommendation
The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted overwhelmingly not to recommend (no-16, yes-3) mepolizumab (Nucala, GlaxoSmithKline) "as add-on treatment to inhaled corticosteroid-based maintenance treatment for the reduction of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guided by blood eosinophil counts."
Isolated Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism: Over-treatment is HArmful
A new study provides more evidence of overtreatment of isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism. Among 71 patients with presumed isolated SSPEs, 62 (87%) were treated with anticoagulants and 21 (34%) subsequently experienced a decrease in hemoglobin of 2 g/dL or greater and/or received a blood transfusion.
OS Benefit in NSCLC With Broad-Based Testing
In community oncology practices, where most cancer in the United States is treated, broad-based genetic testing does not offer survival advantages compared with routine genetic testing for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), concludes a new retrospective study.
But lung cancer experts challenge this conclusion, pointing out that few of the patients who were found to have actionable mutations on broad-based genetic testing actually received targeted therapy and some received targeted therapy not matched to the mutations.
Azithromycin for Lung Condition in Cancer Patients should not be used, FDA
Azithromycin (multiple brands) should not be used to prevent bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in patients with hematologic malignancies who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), owing to an increased risk for relapse and death, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said today in a safety communication
Emphysema: Endobronchial-Valve Treatment Provides Benefits
Endobronchial valve (EBV) treatment improves lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heterogeneous emphysema and hyperinflation, according to results from the LIBERATE study.
EVLP Increases Donor Organ Supply
As many as 80% of lungs from organ donors are not used, either because they are not in good enough condition to transplant, or there are doubts about their quality and there is no way to verify their condition.
Different Lung Cancer Drug Targets Identified Using Unique Cellular Library
Scientists from UT Southwestern's Simmons Cancer Center have identified 170 chemicals for potential new targets to develop drugs to treat lung cancer. The 5-year project set out to identify new therapeutic targets for non-small cell lung cancer as well as potential drugs for these targets – a significant step forward toward personalizing cancer care.