Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a life threatening, inherited disease of the exocrine glands. The condition primarily affects the digestive and respiratory systems which become clogged with a thick, sticky mucus. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene which results in an excess of salt and water passing into cells, causing a thick, sticky mucus to build up in bodily passageways.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects the production and flow of mucus within the lungs and digestive system, parts of the body that then become clogged with a thick, sticky mucus.

Cystic Fibrosis Causes

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis

Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Genetics of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Screening

Cystic Fibrosis Questions

Coping With Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Facts

Cystic Fibrosis Epidemiology

Cystic Fibrosis Prognosis

See more featured articles »

Cystic Fibrosis Research

Could CRISPR Repair CFTR in Cystic Fibrosis Patients?

Sweat Test for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis and Salty Skin

Cystic Fibrosis Evolution

Lung Transplantation for Cystic Fibrosis

Gene Therapy as a Potential Cure for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis and Infertility

Cystic Fibrosis History

Tests for Cystic Fibrosis During Pregnancy

Latest Cystic Fibrosis News and Research

Novel nanotechnology could change the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis

World-first nanotechnology developed by the University of South Australia could change the lives of thousands of people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) as groundbreaking research shows it can improve the effectiveness of the CF antibiotic Tobramycin, increasing its efficacy by up to 100,000-fold.

13 May 2021

Novel 'CopyCatcher' detects when precise copying of genetic information takes place in cells

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have laid the groundwork for a potential new type of gene therapy using novel CRISPR-based techniques.

11 May 2021

CFTR modulator can be safe, well-tolerated for younger children with common form of cystic fibrosis

Children ages two to five who have the most common form of cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by two copies of the F508 gene mutation, have not had any modulator treatments available to them until recently.

7 May 2021

Study may lead to personalized treatments for cystic fibrosis

Some 2,103 mutations have been identified in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common fatal genetic disease in Canada, and together they pose huge challenges for patients and researchers, including those affiliated with Université de Montreal and its teaching hospital, the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM).

7 May 2021

Study uncovers protein 'signature' of severe COVID-19

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified the protein "signature" of severe COVID-19, which they describe in a new study published in Cell Reports Medicine.

4 May 2021

Study shows potential of human mesenchymal stem cells to treat chronic lung infections

A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine offers hope for those suffering from a chronic, difficult to treat condition called non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung infection.

4 May 2021

"COVID-19 diarrhea" depends on inflammatory response that is part of the disease

Researchers in the United States have provided important insights into the pathophysiology of diarrhea that occurs in some cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

29 Apr 2021

Two repurposed drugs and a blue dye show potential as SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors

A new multidisciplinary study from Australia, published in the open-access journal mBio, shows that three compounds used to treat cystic fibrosis, dry eye, and a specific medical dye may lead to future strategies for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

25 Apr 2021

Study could lead to new ways of targeting harmful bacteria

Research has identified critical factors that enable dangerous bacteria to spread disease by surviving on surfaces in hospitals and kitchens.

22 Apr 2021

Novel approach to gene editing bypasses disease-causing mutations in a gene

A new approach to gene editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system bypasses disease-causing mutations in a gene, enabling treatment of genetic diseases linked to a single gene, such as cystic fibrosis, certain types of sickle cell anemia, and other rare diseases.

21 Apr 2021

Five-year study aims to improve health of patients with cystic fibrosis across their growing lifespan

People with cystic fibrosis are living better and longer, and now investigators want to further enhance quality and longevity by better understanding the role of nutrition, body composition and exercise in their health across an increasing lifespan.

19 Apr 2021

Biology of single-celled organisms reveals potential treatment target for COPD

In a series of experiments that began with amoebas -- single-celled organisms that extend podlike appendages to move around -- Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have identified a genetic pathway that could be activated to help sweep out mucus from the lungs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a widespread lung ailment.

13 Apr 2021

Rice bioengineer wins NIH support for a new strategy to fight cystic fibrosis

Chemical and biomolecular engineer Xue Sherry Gao of Rice University's Brown School of Engineering has won National Institutes of Health support for a new strategy to fight cystic fibrosis.

8 Apr 2021

New sweat stickers may streamline diagnosis, treatment of cystic fibrosis in in pediatric patients

New "sweat stickers" may streamline the early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis by enabling scientists to easily gather and analyze sweat from the skin of infants and children.

31 Mar 2021

Researchers find evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells in the mouth

An international team of scientists has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects cells in the mouth.

25 Mar 2021

Study: Early benefit assessment of new drugs within the framework of AM-NOG procedure

"The AMNOG procedure has passed its first practical test. It is practicable and can also be implemented in detail", emphasized IQWiG's Director Jürgen Windeler in October 2011, when the Institute had published its first early benefit assessment within the framework of the AM-NOG procedure (AMNOG = Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products).

22 Mar 2021

New drug regimen is safe and effective in children with cystic fibrosis

An international, open-label Phase 3 study, co-led by Susanna McColley, MD, from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, found that a regimen of three drugs (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) that targets the genetic cause of cystic fibrosis was safe and effective in 6-11-year-olds with at least one copy of F508del mutation in the CFTR gene, which is estimated to represent almost 90 percent of the cystic fibrosis population in the United States.

19 Mar 2021