Author Archives: Ashraf Malhas, PhD

Analysis of blood glucose levels in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients being treated with Orkambi (ivacaftor/lumacaftor) shows that the therapy has minimal impact on glycemic control, a small study reports. Up to 50 percent of adults with cystic fibrosis develop diabetes, making so-called CF-related diabetes (CFRD) the most common comorbidity,…

An earlier diagnosis and treatment of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may positively affect the patient’s lung function, a study suggests. NTM are a group of bacterial species, found in soil and water, which are not usually associated with human disease, except if they infect…

Certain medications used to treat acid reflux are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, a study shows. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, aka acid reflux), which occurs when acid from the stomach rises into the esophagus causing heartburn, is more common in CF patients —…

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 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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…