Maureen Newman,  —

Patients with cystic fibrosis are all too familiar with the fact that a single mutation — in particular, a mutation in the gene coding for the CFTR protein — can wreak havoc on an individual’s health. Those afflicted with cystic fibrosis commonly face a number of problems in their…

Positive test results for Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ newest Phase 3 clinical trials may expand the population of cystic fibrosis patients suitable to take a Vertex-produced drug from only 4% to nearly 50%. “It’s going to potentially allow us to get a medicine to 22,000 patients around the world with the…

Doctors and pharmacists are constantly on the lookout for potential drug interactions when giving patients medication. As a result of a number of recent in vitro cell studies, a few cystic fibrosis treatments may soon be added to the list of interactions. Two independent teams found some cystic fibrosis transmembrane…

To find another valuable tool to evaluate the efficacy of the commonly prescribed cystic fibrosis drug ivacaftor (Kalydeco from Vertex Pharmaceuticals), a team from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, tested high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with cystic fibrosis…

Cystic fibrosis-patient pet owners should have little concern over symptoms from their favorite “Fido,” but those with cuddly “Whiskers” may want to beware. A new study from the Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Institute of Genetic Medicine, and Division of Pediatric Endocrinology in Johns Hopkins, published in…

Two new abstracts from the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis recently focused on the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and sought to enhance knowledge of treating and diagnosing cystic fibrosis. Pa is highly relevant to cystic fibrosis, as it is the most common bacteria in the lungs of patients and leads…

In an effort to alleviate symptoms in patients with nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis–a severe form that leads to little if any CFTR protein production–PTC Therapeutics, Inc. is initiating a global confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial to test Translarna (ataluren) under the trial name ACT CF. In a previous,…

What happens when a cystic fibrosis charity and a biotechnology company team up through a partnership? The answer is a Phase IIa clinical trial in the United Kingdom put together by Cystic Fibrosis Trust and NovaBiotics. Also included in the effort are the University of Aberdeen, Health Science Scotland,…

Greek researchers at Athens University Medical School and Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital uncovered psychosocial vulnerability in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. A study of 36 cystic fibrosis patients, aged 8-18 years, and 31 healthy, age-matched control participants revealed that cystic fibrosis patients have a greater difficulty establishing friendships and…

At the 37th European Cystic Fibrosis Society Conference, held June 11-14 in Sweden, representatives from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented data from multiple clinical trials evaluating Kalydeco (ivacaftor) in patients with cystic fibrosis due to various mutations. “Not only does KALYDECO lead to significant initial improvements,…