Lung Disease News and Research

RSS

AeriSeal System appears to be effective in treating emphysema

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham injected a foam sealant into the lungs of a former smoker on Oct. 29, 2012, to treat his worsening emphysema. He was the first patient in the United States treated in a late-stage clinical trial of the AeriSeal System.

3 Nov 2012

Obstructive sleep apnea common in young cystic fibrosis children

Children with stable cystic fibrosis have an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea, which could cause sleep disruption, researchers report.

2 Nov 2012

Exosomes alone could protect infants' lungs from dangerous inflammation

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have found that microscopic particles containing proteins and nucleic acids called exosomes could potentially protect the fragile lungs of premature babies from serious lung diseases and chronic lung injury caused by inflammation.

1 Nov 2012

Study finds how effective healthcare can reduce toll from major diseases like stroke, cancer

Wide differences in death rates from disease still persist throughout England - but effective healthcare can help to reduce these inequalities, a new study has discovered.

1 Nov 2012

Biomarker discovery offers hope for lung cancer blood test

Blood levels of a variant form of the nuclear matrix protein Ciz1 are significantly higher in individuals with early- and late-stage lung cancer than in lung cancer-free individuals, researchers report.

31 Oct 2012

BioRx added to Zemaira distribution network

BioRx, a national specialty pharmacy and infusion services provider, has been added to the limited distribution network for Zemaira [alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (human)]. Zemaira is indicated for chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in individuals with alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and clinical evidence of emphysema.

30 Oct 2012

Female smokers who stop before middle age on average gain ten extra years of life

The largest-ever study of the hazards of smoking and benefits of stopping for women in the UK has shown that female smokers lose at least ten years of lifespan, but that stopping before the age of 40, and preferably well before the age of 40, avoids more than 90% of the increased risk of dying caused by continuing to smoke, while stopping before the age of 30 avoids over 97% of it.

29 Oct 2012

Vascular endothelial cells play a larger role in pulmonary hypertension

It turns out the muscle cells on the outside of blood vessels have been wrongly accused for instigating lung disease. New research shows that while these muscle cells are responsible for constricting or dilating the blood vessels, they are not responsible for sensing the amount of oxygen that gets to the lungs. That message comes from the endothelial cells - special cells that line the blood vessels - along a "signalling pathway."

25 Oct 2012

X-ray technology improves early detection of pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered the fourth most common cause of death in the United States. Usually the precursor to this life-threatening lung disease is a chronic bronchitis. Partially destroyed alveoli and an over-inflation of the lungs, known as emphysema, are serious side effects. However, the subtle differences in the tissue are barely discernable in standard X-ray images.

23 Oct 2012

Computed tomography aids scleroderma lung disease prognosis

High-resolution computed tomography is useful for the prognosis of patients with systemic scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease, research shows.

22 Oct 2012

Medicare's policy on compounded drugs under scrutiny; Lawsuits growing in meningitis outbreak

The Associated Press reports on the role Medicare plays in national drug purchasing and The Washington Post finds the "race is on" to sign up clients for lawsuits.

22 Oct 2012

First Edition: October 22, 2012

Today's headlines include the latest news about how health policies are playing on the campaign trail as candidates move into the home stretch.

22 Oct 2012

Fungal exposure in homes could increase risk of sarcoidosis

People who are exposed to mold in their homes could be at an increased risk for sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease. Researchers from Sweden and Slovenia tested 62 nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis, 34 of whom had extrapulmonary manifestations (EPM).

22 Oct 2012

Empire BlueCross BlueShield introduces Medicare Advantage plans in New York City

Empire BlueCross BlueShield is introducing a number of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in New York City that include access to the acclaimed CareMore health delivery system, which helps members maintain their health.

15 Oct 2012

Pioneering research paves way for new treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pioneering research conducted by the University of Sheffield is paving the way for new treatments which could benefit patients suffering from the fatal lung disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

15 Oct 2012

Researchers identify new genetic signature for sarcoidosis

Researchers at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System have identified a genetic signature that distinguishes patients with complicated sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that can be fatal, from patients with a more benign form of the disease. The gene signature could become the basis for a simple blood test.

15 Oct 2012

Parametric response mapping could improve diagnosis and treatment of COPD

A new approach to lung scanning could improve the diagnosis and treatment of a lung disease that affects approximately 24 million Americans and is the country's third-highest cause of death.

8 Oct 2012

New technique has potential to kill off hospital superbugs

Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have developed a new technique which has the potential to kill off hospital superbugs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, C. difficile and MRSA.

5 Oct 2012

EC approves Sosei’s Seebri Breezhaler to treat COPD

Sosei Group Corporation confirms the information released today by Novartis that the European Commission has approved Seebri Breezhaler (glycopyrronium bromide) 44 mcg delivered dose (equivalent to 50 mcg glycopyrronium measured dose per capsule), as a once-daily inhaled maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

1 Oct 2012

Japanese MHLW approves Sosei’s Seebri inhalation capsules to treat COPD

Sosei Group Corporation confirms the information released today by Novartis that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Seebri (glycopyrronium bromide) Inhalation Capsules 50 mcg administered through the Breezhaler device, as a once-daily, long-term, inhaled maintenance bronchodilator treatment for the relief of various symptoms due to airway obstructive disease in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

28 Sep 2012