News

AbbVie accepting scholarship applications for 2023-2024

As it has done for decades, AbbVie is seeking applications from U.S. cystic fibrosis (CF) patients for its latest round of college scholarships. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students may apply online or by mail through 11 a.m. ET May 24 for an AbbVie Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship…

Pulmonary exacerbations worse after unplanned pregnancy

Among women with cystic fibrosis (CF) who experienced a pregnancy, those that were unplanned were associated with an increased frequency of pulmonary exacerbations after giving birth, according to a recent study. Regardless of whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned, women experienced declines in lung function after delivery compared…

Reproductive health discussions a key need in CF care: Study

As pregnancy becomes more common among women with cystic fibrosis (CF), and more CF patients are becoming parents, there is a pressing need for CF clinics to incorporate discussions about reproductive health — with a focus on pregnant women — into routine care, a new study highlights. “As the…

Orkambi eased airway inflammation, boosted bacterial diversity

Treatment with Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) for six months lessened airway inflammation and enhanced airway bacterial diversity in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but only when administered before patients were chronically infected with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a study has found. The findings suggest that “CFTR modulators [such as Orkambi] should…

Neutrophil cell subtype tied to lung function decline in stable CF

Lung function decline in adults with stable cystic fibrosis (CF) was tied to high numbers of mature low-density neutrophils, a white blood cell subtype associated with inflammatory disorders, a study suggests. While previous research showed that low-density neutrophils in CF children correlated with better lung function, the changes found…

Complete antibiotic coverage used mostly for polymicrobial infections

Pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by multiple bacteria (polymicrobial) are generally treated with antibiotics that cover all the bacteria detected, a study reported. Whether this strategy is associated with better clinical outcomes than using antibiotics that cover only some of the detected bacteria remains to…