Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Using a machine learning approach based on genetic data, a trio of scientists at Scripps Research identified a region of the CFTR protein that is vital for its proper function, but is barely affected by existing cystic fibrosis (CF) treatments. Researchers described their findings in the study “…

The Lung Transplant Foundation is hosting a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the intent of educating the agency and public about the challenges of living with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), a severe complication of lung transplants. “This is the first time that regulators and policymakers…

Certain variations in the gene that codes for the inflammatory signaling molecule TGF-beta1 are associated with faster lung function decline and a higher risk of Pseudomonas infections for people with cystic fibrosis (CF), a new study indicates. “Our results demonstrate the relevance of the multifunctional cytokine [signaling molecule]…

There is wide clinical variety in the presentation of individuals who carry one F508del mutation and one 5T;TG12 mutation in the CFTR gene, an Italian study highlights. Its researchers stressed the need to monitor individuals with this genotype, since there are not currently accurate ways to predict who is at highest risk…

Infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in their first six months are at heightened risk of having impaired lung function by the time they are preschool age, a new study reports. The study also showed that lung function measurements and CT scan imaging in…

Scientists at the University of Southampton have created a new method that could be useful for rapidly identifying infectious bacteria in samples from people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Unlike currently used methods, this method does not require a time-consuming culture step where bacteria are grown in a laboratory. The…

A natural compound called ectoine may help to improve the stability of the CFTR protein by modulating the activity of a molecular signaling pathway called AREG-EGFR-ERK, a study reported. Ectoine is a stress-protection molecule with water-retaining and potentially anti-inflammatory properties. The researchers suggested that ectoine, given in combination with CFTR…

Health Canada has expanded the approval of Vertex Pharmaceuticals‘ triple-combination modulator treatment Trikafta to cover children with cystic fibrosis (CF) as young as 6 who have at least one copy of the F508del mutation. Trikafta had been approved only for patients ages 12 and older in Canada. According to…

Sionna Therapeutics, a life sciences company that is developing a pipeline of experimental treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF), has announced its official launch following the closing of a $111 million Series B financing. The company is aiming to treat the underlying cause of CF. “Our mission at Sionna is…

The European Commission is expected to propose a new governing framework for health data next month, called the European Health Data Space (EHDS), with the aim of connecting national health systems to facilitate secure and efficient transfer of data across systems in different European nations. The move is expected to…