Pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring in the lungs that makes breathing progressively harder. The most common form, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, affects about 100,000 people in the U.S. Two approved drugs—nintedanib and pirfenidone—slow disease progression but don't stop scarring. Lung transplant remains the only option that can restore lung function.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that target specific scarring pathways, anti-inflammatory treatments borrowed from other diseases, stem cell approaches, and combination therapies. Researchers are also studying biomarkers to predict who will progress quickly and testing whether treating underlying causes like autoimmune disease or reflux can slow fibrosis. Gene therapy and inhaled treatments that deliver drugs directly to scarred areas are in early testing.
Anti-fibrotic combinations
Studies are combining nintedanib or pirfenidone with drugs that target different scarring pathways. The goal is stronger slowing of lung function decline than either drug alone.
Inhaled therapies
Several trials deliver anti-scarring drugs directly to the lungs through inhalers. This approach may reduce side effects while getting higher drug concentrations where they're needed.
Progressive fibrosis
Trials now treat lung scarring caused by autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and other conditions. Drugs approved for IPF are being tested in these related fibrotic lung diseases.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on lung function test results, time since diagnosis, oxygen needs, prior treatments, and whether the fibrosis has a known cause.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new anti-fibrotic drugs or combinations to slow lung function decline, usually measured by breathing tests over 12 to 24 months.
- Biomarker studies — Looking for blood or imaging markers that predict disease progression or treatment response.
- Symptom trials — Testing treatments for breathlessness, cough, fatigue, and other symptoms that affect daily life.
- Stem cell trials — Early studies testing whether stem cells can reduce scarring or improve lung function.
- Observational studies — Following people with pulmonary fibrosis to understand disease patterns, genetic factors, and environmental triggers.
Recently added Pulmonary Fibrosis trials
Complete breathing tests with different inhaler devices
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the inspiratory flow rate capability in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (IPF or PPF) when using inhaler devices with different resistances. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) that patients with pulmonary fibrosis can achieve through a medium-resistance inhaler device? What is the peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) that patients with pulmonary fibrosis can achieve through a high-resistance inhaler device? What is the inspiratory time (EIT) for each resistance level? Participants will use a portable device called In-Check™ DIAL G16, which simulates the resistance of different dry powder inhalers. Each participant will perform two breathing tests at a medium-resistance setting and two breathing tests at a high-resistance setting, with a 2-minute rest between settings. The device measures how fast air is breathed in and how long each breath lasts. This study will enroll 60 patients diagnosed with IPF or PPF at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. Participants will be involved for approximately 30 to 60 minutes, including training on how to use the device and the breathing tests. The study involves no drugs or invasive procedures.
Take an inhaled medication for lung-related high blood pressure
A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Inhaled Mosliciguat in Participants with Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease
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