News

The interaction of ions and sugars called glycans can affect the mucus that lines airways — a finding that has implications for cystic fibrosis, two studies reported. CF is characterized by abnormally thick and sticky mucus that can damage the lungs, gut and other organs and breed bacteria. The two studies showed…

Celtaxsys has obtained four U.S. patents, including a new one for acebilustat, its lead candidate for treating the lung inflammation found in cystic fibrosis. The other three patents cover potential therapies for additional inflammatory diseases. Acebilustat is designed to reduce an overabundance of white blood cells known as neutrophils in CF…

The sweat test, a clinical standard for diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF), was found to be equally reliable for diagnosing CF in Down syndrome patients, according to a study published in the journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine. Previous case reports have suggested an association between CF and Down syndrome. Although rare, the…

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will advance to the next clinical-trial stage two therapies designed to correct faulty mechanisms underlying cystic fibrosis. The company said it plans Phase 3 trials of its next-generation correctors VX-659 and VX-445. They will be part of two triple combo therapy regimens that Vertex tests in CF patients. The…

A single dose of inhaled hypertonic saline (HS) solution increases mucus clearance for at least four hours in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), concludes researchers at the University of North Carolina and John Hopkins University. Their study, “Hypertonic saline has a prolonged effect on mucociliary clearance in adults with cystic…

Volatile molecules present in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients may help identify those infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The study, “Volatile molecules from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can ‘rule-in’ Pseudomonas aeruginosa and ‘rule-out’ Staphylococcus aureus infections in cystic fibrosis patients,” appeared in the journal Scientific Reports. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one…