Somi Igbene, PhD, science writer —

Adults and children with cystic fibrosis (CF) frequently have moderate to severe gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as fullness and bloating, and women are primarily affected, new research suggests. GI-targeted medications were largely not effective and both age groups reported being highly dissatisfied with them. The study, “Multicentre prospective…

Pulmonary exacerbations — the flares that cause a sudden worsening in respiratory symptoms — contribute to the higher mortality and lung transplant rates seen in people with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), an analysis of adults in a U.K. CF registry reported. “These findings have important implications for clinical teams.

Trikafta, a triple therapy combining elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor, cleared Aspergillus fungus in the lungs and prevented severe infections in children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), a pilot study found. “These preliminary results are very encouraging and support the hypothesis that initiation of [Trikafta] therapy rapidly improves…

The Phase 1 clinical trial into the safety and pharmacological properties of the antibiotic Xenleta (lefamulin) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) is fully enrolled. “We are happy to announce enrollment has been completed in this important study to evaluate the potential of XENLETA in the management of…

Avecris and Nosis Biological Sciences have won the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation’s inaugural “Golden Ticket” Competition. The companies will each receive one year of free office and lab space at Bakar Labs and access to the CF Foundation’s network of resources to develop genetic therapies for CF.

Gut bacteria entering the lungs during acid reflux episodes may promote lung inflammation and poorer lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, a new study reports. These findings may explain why people with CF and acid reflux tend to have poorer lung function. The study, “Exposure to bile…

Regular use of antibiotics to treat persistent infections is linked with hypersensitivity reactions in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), a new study has found. Specifically, “the risk is highly associated with the number of cumulative exposures to antibiotics and increasing age,” the researchers wrote. And intravenous, or into-the-vein, administration…

Instead of stopping Trikafta treatment, reducing the dose and providing psychological support may reduce or resolve mental health side effects, including depression, anxiety, and brain fog in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), a new study reports. “It was reassuring that dose adjustments, in conjunction with psychological support and…

Health Canada has approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Kalydeco (ivacaftor) to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients 4 months to 18 years old who carry the R117H mutation in the CFTR gene, and who weigh at least five kilograms (about 11 pounds). “It’s been our goal to ensure that…

Kalydeco (ivacaftor) therapy, given before age 1, was shown to normalize sweat chloride levels, and improve growth and lung and pancreas function in two baby boys with cystic fibrosis (CF), a case study reported. According to the researchers, these results show that Kalydeco “seems to be safe and…