News

Although person-to-person transmission is possible, most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients infected with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) do not share similar strains, according to a study of patients at U.S. care centers. Researchers found high genetic similarity between isolates of MAC across some people followed at the same CF centers.

A unique interaction between CFTR — the protein defective in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) — and two pro-inflammatory proteins may explain why some CF patients develop liver disease, researchers reported. Their work suggests that the CFTR protein can act as an anchor, bringing certain proteins — including the pro-inflammatory…

The school closures, at-home confinements and other safety measures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused less anxiety among children with cystic fibrosis (CF) than age-matched peers without the disease, a survey study in Turkey found. Children and teenagers with CF “seem to show more resilience in coping with…

Since the introduction of Kalydeco (ivacaftor) in the U.K., marked changes in treatment patterns for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients using the medication have become noticeable over time, a study reported. Specifically, people treated with Kalydeco were less likely to continue with other treatments, such as inhaled antibiotics or…

Bacteria living in the gut are abnormally slow to develop functional abilities in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF), which may affect their nutrition, growth, and gastrointestinal health, a study reported. Therapies targeting the gut microbiome could be “promising avenues” to improving their overall health, its researchers suggested. The study,…

The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) awarded $600,000 in grants to ease the disparities faced by rare disease patients of color. These Impact Rare Disease Solution grants will go five RDDC steering committee working groups, which aim to identify problems for rare disease communities and advocate for solutions. The five…

Nearly one-third of infants and toddlers with cystic fibrosis (CF) evaluated in a small study had low blood levels of zinc — a mineral whose insufficiency is associated with poor growth in otherwise healthy children. Still, the role of blood zinc levels “in growth and nutrition outcomes” for CF children…

A Phase 1/2 clinical trial of an aerosol gene therapy candidate, 4D-710, in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been cleared by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is expected to start this year, its developer, 4D Molecular Therapeutics, announced. The trial is designed as an open-label, dose-escalation…

Epicore Biosystems has launched in the U.S. a wearable patch allowing it to collect and analyze sweat for biomarker research, the company announced. Called the Discovery Patch Sweat Collection System, it may be useful in monitoring changes in sweat chloride in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), among other applications.

Students living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and attending or starting college, either at the undergraduate or graduate level, are invited to apply for one of 30 “Sacks for CF” scholarships. The annual program is run by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with CF. Every…