Andrea Lobo, PhD, science writer —

Treatment with Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for almost eight years consistently improved lung function and reduced mortality in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a study looking at several measures of disease progression. The therapy also significantly improved nutritional status, which together with reduced pulmonary exacerbations, hospitalizations, and lung…

In a real-world study involving children with cystic fibrosis (CF) in Italy, Kaftrio — an approved CF therapy sold as Trikafta in North America — was shown to lead to significant improvements in lung function for more…

Danish children with cystic fibrosis (CF) born between 2000 and 2022 showed noticeable gains in growth during their first five years of life, with those born after 2016 seeing the most progress in reaching normal growth standards, a study shows. This is likely due to newborn screening programs (NBS)…

Levels of fat-soluble vitamins D and E and of the micronutrients zinc and selenium are generally within the normal range in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), even during treatment with Kaftrio. That’s according to a recent study that also found significantly increased vitamin A levels one year into…

Extended treatment with Kaftrio progressively increases the diversity of the microorganisms in the gut in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), a recent study suggests. However, gut microbiota diversity remained significantly different from healthy people after about 1.5 years on the CFTR modulator, probably due to the use…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to SPL84, an experimental inhalation therapy for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by the 3849+10 kb C-to-T mutation in the CFTR gene. The designation is given to accelerate the development and review of therapies meant to address unmet…

Improvements in mucus clearance with the approved medication Trikafta — evident among patients within a month after starting treatment, according to researchers — may contribute to better lung function in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), per a new U.S. study. Mucus clearance mechanisms are meant to keep the…

Four years after the approval of Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) for cystic fibrosis (CF), global disparities in access to the treatment remain and mainly affect low- and middle-income countries, according to a recent study. “The extent of international disparities, in combination with the high price, suggested that without urgent action,…

A history of pancreatic inflammation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a large database report. These patients also had a higher prevalence of known risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including smoking, alcohol consumption,…

People with advanced liver disease associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) have more pro-inflammatory bacteria in their feces relative to those without CF- associated liver disease, a study shows. The findings suggest similar changes in the gut microbiota, or the populations of friendly microbes that naturally live in the intestines. This…