Ashraf Malhas, PhD,  —

Articles by Ashraf Malhas

Galapagos to Start Trial Testing New Triple-Combo Therapy for CF

Galapagos is starting a clinical trial called FALCON to evaluate a new triple-combination therapy to treat cystic fibrosis patients. The combination treatment, using experimental therapies GLPG2451, GLPG2222, and GLPG2737, all developed by Galapagos, shows early potential in non-human studies for treating cystic fibrosis. In vitro assays have consistently…

Many CF Patients Have Long-term Staphylococcus Aureus Infections, Study Shows

Many cystic fibrosis patients have long-term Staphylococcus aureus infections, with the bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics fluctuating over time, a study reports. Chronic and recurrent infection of the airways is the most severe consequence of cystic fibrosis. The most prevalent bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus. There are different types of it, however, and studies have…

Low Chest Radiograph Scores in Young CF Children Is Associated with More Pulmonary Exacerbations, Study Says

A study in young children with cystic fibrosis (CF) shows that low chest radiograph scores are associated with more frequent pulmonary exacerbations, and the use of antibiotics is beneficial when respiratory symptoms increase. Although it’s been established that pulmonary exacerbations lead to a decline in lung function in older children and…

UF Study Links Proton Pump Inhibitor Use with More Frequent Hospitalization in CF Patients

Doctors should frequently re-evaluate the use of protein pump inhibitors (PPIs) for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, urges a University of Florida study which warns that long-term PPI use leads to a higher risk of hospitalization for pulmonary exacerbations. Identifying risk factors associated with pulmonary exacerbations is critical since they cause a decline…

#NACFC2017 – Latest Trial Data on Vertex CF Therapies and New Combos Show Benefits

Vertex Pharmaceuticals recently presented data from several clinical trials of cystic fibrosis treatments showing positive outcomes for CF patients. Data focused on the approved therapies Orkambi and Kalydeco, and investigative treatments like tezacaftor/ivacaftor and several triple regimens. These findings were presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) that ran Nov.

#NACFC2017 – RELiZORB Effectively Normalizes Absorption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in CF Patients

A long-term clinical study showed that RELiZORB improves fatty acid absorption in patients suffering from fat malabsorption or pancreatic deficiencies, which is good news for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suffering from insufficient lipase production. Alcresta Therapeutics, RELiZORB’s developer, presented data from its ASSURE study at the North American Cystic Fibrosis…

Low-dose Nitric Oxide Enhances Antibiotic Treatment of Certain Chronic CF Infections

Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation can enhance the antibiotic treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, a small proof-of-concept clinical trial demonstrated. Bacterial infections by P. aeruginosa is a major cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in patients with CF. The bacteria can form biofilms, which are structured, antibiotic-tolerant aggregates…

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