Pirfenidone Can Prolong Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients’ Lives:-
Esbriet or Pirfenidone can prolong idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis (IPF) patients’ life, according to a review of clinical trials. Researchers
also said that Pirfenidone or Pirfenex
tablets are safe but do not help every IPF patient.
Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common interstitial lung disease
or a group of disorders that involve scarring of lung tissue. It can lead to a progressive decline in lung function and poor quality of life, and also early
death.
The disease’s progression gets worse by comorbidities, or
other disorders, which includes pulmonary hypertension and sleep-disordered
breathing. Scientists believe it is triggered by damage to protective epithelial
cells in the alveoli and the release of cytokines that trigger inflammation.
Cytokines promote cell to cell communication in immune responses and stimulate
the movement of cells toward sites of inflammation, infection, and injury.
Earlier studies indicated that IPF fails to respond to
immunotherapy. Recent trials have demonstrated that novel anti-fibrotic agents
have improved lung function over time.
According to the review, Pirfenidone slows IPF patients’
decline in respiratory function and increases their progression-free survival.
It also reduces mortality that other anti-fibrotic therapies such as Ofev are
unable to do, researchers said.
Based on these findings, the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved Pirfenextablets for treating IPF in 2014.
More recently, the ASCEND phase 3 clinical trial supported Pirfenidone’s
effectiveness. The study involving 555 patients showed that Pirfenidone improved
respiratory function, progression-free survival, and ability to exercise.
An analysis of 2 clinical trials indicated that factors like
patient age, smoking status, and geographic origin had no impact on Pirfenidone’s
effectiveness.
The trials have also shown that prolonged treatment that is
beyond 6 months continued to reduce the risk of IPF patients’ respiratory
decline and death. Pooled data from 5 clinical studies covering 1,299 patients
supported a previous finding that Pirfenidone is well-tolerated.
Another finding was that a combination of Pirfenidone and
amino acid N-acetylcysteine worsened IPF patients’ respiratory function,
compared with Pirfenidone alone. The discovery came out of the recent PANORAMA phase
2 trials.
Although the results on Pirfenidone are encouraging, the
researchers who did the review said doctors should approach its use with
caution. That is because not all IPF patients have better respiratory function
and live longer after taking Pirfenex
tablets.
Individuals with more rapidly declining lung function prior
to the beginning, Pirfenidone treatment is more likely to experience the benefit.
Side Effects:-
Side effects of Pirfenidone include gastrointestinal
problems, weight loss, skin reactions, anorexia, and fatigue, according to the
review. Patients taking it should avoid smoking and drugs that inhibit Pirfenidone’s
metabolism in the liver, the researchers said.
Those taking Pirfenidone should be carefully monitored,
particularly those with severe liver or kidney dysfunction.
The benefits of early treatment with Pirfenidone, compared
with the risks, have yet to be investigated.
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