Albinism Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Albinism, including details on pigmentation, genetic trait, heritability.

Pirfenidone for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Antoniu SA

Clinic of Pulmonary Disease, 30 Dr I Cihac Street, 700115, Iasi, Romania. sabinaantoniu@excite.com

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an under-recognised, rare, progressive disease of the lungs with unknown aetiology and high mortality. The currently advocated pathogenic mechanism is represented by progressive multifocal fibrosis. It is diagnosed based on clinical, radiographic, physiological and histopathological criteria. Existing therapeutic guidelines recommend anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive combinations, despite proven limited efficacy. There is no therapy approved specifically for IPF, but several antifibrotic agents are currently under development for this indication. Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic agent potentially effective for IPF therapy, and preclinical and available clinical data support its use in IPF. Future clinical studies are expected to provide more consistent information on survival benefit, lung function and health-related quality of life.

Published 21 June 2006 in Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 15(7): 823-8.
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