Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

Health Canada has granted priority review to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ application seeking the approval of Kalydeco (ivacaftor) to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, ages 4 months to 18 years, carrying the R117H mutation in the CFTR gene. The intended label extension is for patients who weigh at least 5 kilograms…

A non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique may be able to detect changes in the pancreas of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and aid in an early diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or EPI — which occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough digestive enzymes — a Turkish study suggests.

AirPhysio, a handheld device designed to help clear the mucus that builds up in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), is now available online in the U.S. through Life Wellness Healthcare. The Australian-based company said in a press release that the AirPhysio — which…

A nonprofit’s entry in the Philadelphia Marathon, Team EE is looking for enthusiastic people to join it for the November race that will help to raise funds for the 10% of people whose cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by nonsense mutations. As a member of the Emily’s Entourage marathon…

Depression and anxiety are common among people with cystic fibrosis (CF), a systematic review reports. The study “Global Burden of Anxiety and Depression among Cystic Fibrosis Patient: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” was published in the International Journal of Chronic Diseases. In people with CF, a genetic defect…

This year’s Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Impact Grants will support three new virtual programs that support the well-being of people of all ages living with cystic fibrosis (CF). These winning projects range from a virtual video performance with tailored songs for hospitalized children with CF, to online exercise classes for teenagers,…

Wrinkling on the palm of the hands after a short immersion in water may serve as a fast, easy and inexpensive test for an initial diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF), a study reports. Compared to healthy children in this study, those with CF developed signs of palm wrinkling — swelling,…

Functional residual capacity (FRC), a measure of the volume of air left in the lungs at the end of a normal exhalation, may help detect lung disease in children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) via newborn screening, a study suggests. Also, a cut-off value of 36 breaths per minute may…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with specific variants in the Tensin 1 gene may be at risk of low body mass index (BMI), a measure of nutritional status, if they carry the common CF-causing F508del mutation in both copies of the CFTR gene, a study reports. This makes Tensin 1 (TNS1) a…

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in adults with cystic fibrosis increases their likelihood of developing CF arthropathy, a painful inflammation of the joints, a German study reported. Additional risk factors for CF arthropathy include older age, female sex, and more severe disease. These findings were published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, in…