Lindsey Shapiro, PhD,  science writer—

Treatment with the antibiotic azithromycin did not prevent the development of lung damage in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF), but was safe and lowered inflammation, hospital stays and antibiotic usage, according to data from a Phase 3 clinical trial. “Azithromycin treatment from diagnosis of cystic fibrosis after newborn…

When an initial antibiotic failed to improve lung function with a pulmonary exacerbation, switching antibiotics did not lead to greater gains among adults or children with cystic fibrosis (CF), a study found. “It appears clear that regardless of antibiotic choice, there is a subset of patients who will be slow…

Treatment with Kalydeco (ivacaftor) led to improved lung function and weight gain as well as fewer respiratory infections and hospitalizations among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with certain CFTR gating mutations, according to a real-world study. “These results support the long-term effectiveness and use of ivacaftor [Kalydeco] for the…

Researchers at Stanford University have been awarded £210,000 (about $265,000) to study preventing hearing loss caused by a class of antibiotics, called aminoglycosides, that are commonly used to treat lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The three-year research project will be jointly funded by the Royal…

People from ethnic minority backgrounds were significantly less likely to be eligible for the cystic fibrosis therapy Kaftrio (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor) than white patients, according to a recent U.K. study. Given that the therapy is the most effective CF therapy on the market, “the CF community should urgently address the…

Several potential biomarkers of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM)-associated lung disease were identified in the breath of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) in a recent pilot study. The approach may offer a faster way of reaching an NTM diagnosis, which has historically relied on slow bacterial culture techniques that sometimes delay…

The presence of lung disease was low among infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) and was not associated with respiratory infections, yet respiratory symptoms, like cough or wheezing, may be a sign that lung disease is progressing, according to a recent study. “Respiratory symptoms in infants with CF deserve attention…

A noninvasive imaging technique called elastography can detect the degree of liver fibrosis, or scarring, in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a recent study. Combining the technique with other laboratory tests in clinical practice might allow for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver disease in these…

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) has awarded $1.6 million to support research focused on identifying biomarkers of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) — a complication of lung transplants — in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). A total of eight grants have been awarded, which will each focus on…

A noninvasive measurement of lung function called lung clearance index (LCI) was associated with the degree of lung damage over time in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a recent study. LCI could be used to monitor lung disease progression in children with CF and may help clinicians…