Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

In a small randomized clinical trial, researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden showed that vitamin D supplements may improve lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. A daily intake of high levels of vitamin D are required, however, for the effects to be noticed. The study, “Clinical…

Measuring antibodies in the blood and administering lung-function tests, either alone or in combination, significantly increase health-care specialists’ ability to detect the serious bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The study, “Assessment of serology and spirometry and the combination of both to complement microbiological isolation…

Scientists have identified the three-dimensional structure of the protein responsible for cystic fibrosis (CF), a development that will help them understand how mutations of the protein lead to the disease. They also found an area in the protein where many disease-causing mutations are located, and a region within that area…

Blocking mucus absorption in the airways through the use of certain agents can strengthen an innate airway mechanism, called mucociliary clearance (MCC), that is often impaired in lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). The study, “Marked increases in mucociliary clearance produced by synergistic secretory agonists or inhibition of the epithelial sodium…

In a recent talk titled “Implementation of Colorectal Guidelines,” Alexander Khoruts, MD, from the University of Minnesota, discussed recommendations for an effective screening for colorectal cancer in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The talk was presented at the 30th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference Oct. 27-29 in Orlando, Florida. Patients…

The importance of investigating the role of the airway microbiome in lung damage associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) was the focus of two talks at the recent 30th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) in Orlando, Florida. Both talks were based on the topic, “Microbiome Studies Can be Helpful in Understanding CF Infections.” CF and CF manifestations, particularly…

In a recent talk, researchers showed the enhanced benefits of two next-generation CFTR correctors in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with specific mutations. The positive results support the clinical evaluation of both drugs in early-stage clinical trials. The talk, “Discovery and biological profile of next-generation CFTR correctors,” was recently presented at the…

A new database to improve the characterization of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and more effectively identify variables that may impact patient success following lung transplant, was proposed recently at the 30th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), Oct. 27-29, in Orlando, by Dr. Elliott Dasenbrook, of the Cleveland Clinic. Dasenbrook proposed the database in…

Two talks, presented today at the 30th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), focused on the role of nutrition in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). In a first presentation, “Have we journeyed to Junk?,” Tamarah Katz, MSc (Nutr&Diet), with the Sydney Children’s Hospital, quantified how much core (e.g., fruit, vegetables) and non-core foods (e.g., snacks, sweetened beverages) contribute to…

Kalydeco (ivacaftor), an approved therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with a specific mutation, improves insulin secretion in those with CF-related diabetes, researchers led by Ronald Rubenstein, MD, with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, found. The mechanism underlying this benefit, however, remains unknown. The results were presented today at the 30th Annual North American…