title: Pharmacological treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an update.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and almost invariably lethal disease that affects primarily older adults. After a decade of negative (or inconsistent) results, two recent clinical trials have demonstrated that slowing disease progression with medication is possible. An improved understanding of disease pathogenesis, epidemiology, and diagnostic criteria has been key to this success. Yet, this is only the beginning. It is hoped that continuous efforts by dedicated scientists and clinicians, patient organizations, health authorities, and pharmaceutical companies will soon lead to the development of more effective and better-tolerated treatment strategies for this devastating disease.
authors.affiliation: Medical University Clinic, Canton Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: paolo.spagnolo@ksbl.ch.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.affiliation: Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Athol U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep and Allergy, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Harold R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Collard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015897:Comorbidity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011728:Pyridones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D011728:Pyridones; C093844:pirfenidone; C530716:nintedanib