"Look Out" - New section on promising drugs in pipeline

This new section is on being uptodate with any new drugs which are in trials and hold a lot of promise.

I shall start with the drug "Pirfenidone". We all have diagnosed patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. There is not much we can do to treat these patients as of now and its frustrating both for the patient as well the treating physician. No drugs have been show to improve lung function or improve survival eg: Cyclophosphamide, Interferon Gamma etc. Some physicians use Azathioprine/Cyclophosphamide with or without corticosteroids in patients with progressive course.

• Pirfenidone is a novel antifibrotic compound that may inhibit collagen synthesis, down regulate production of multiple cytokines and block fibroblast proliferation and stimulation in response to cytokines.
• A small phase 3 study was presented at ATS 2008 which showed a 70ml mean change in vital capacity and also a significant progression free survival between the drug and placebo.
• Adverse effects included phototoxicity.
• Larger studies are planned and only then shall the verdict be out.

Watch out for updates in this blog.