title: Advances in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lung limited, progressive fibrotic disease with a poor prognosis. The cause is unknown, and currently there is no treatment that reverses the disease or stops progression. This combination of a poor prognosis and the absence of curative therapy has prompted a sustained investigative effort to identify beneficial treatments. Recently released trial results suggest progress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Although the mechanism of disease is poorly understood, a number of compounds that influence pathways thought to play a mechanistic role have been studied for use in IPF. This article discusses a number of these landmark trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From these studies we conclude that the future treatment of IPF will include expanding pharmacological options. Recent studies have identified two agents that appear to slow disease progression and may offer a window into pathogenesis and future drug targets.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , National Jewish Health , 1400 Jackson St, M336, Denver , CO 80206 , USA.
authors.forename: Amen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sergew
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , National Jewish Health , 1400 Jackson St, M336, Denver , CO 80206 , USA.
authors.forename: Kevin K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis; idiopathic interstitial pneumonias; interstitial lung disease; management; therapy; usual interstitial pneumonia