Emphysema News and Research

Latest Emphysema News and Research

Research findings could lead to new treatments for lung disorders in premature babies

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have made major discoveries that could lead to new treatments for lung disorders in premature babies. In a mouse study, the team located key molecules that switch on stress pathways in preterm lung disorders, and also found that when parts of these pathways were blocked with a pain drug, lung damage was prevented or reversed.

21 Mar 2013

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) inflammatory subtypes: an interview with Dr Vanessa McDonald, University of Newcastle, Australia

COPD is defined as a preventable and treatable disease associated with significant extrapulmonary consequences that may contribute to severity. The pulmonary component of COPD is characterised by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles (GOLD Strategy Document). Airflow obstruction in COPD is not highly variable and largely irreversible.

8 Mar 2013

PneumRx initiates RePneu LVRC pivotal study in severe emphysema

PneumRx, Inc., a leader in interventional pulmonology, announced the first U.S. patients treated with PneumRx's Lung Volume Reduction Coils (LVRCs) for severe emphysema.

25 Feb 2013

UAB becomes first in America to test experimental therapy for emphysema

A patient at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) became the first person in America to undergo an investigational therapy for emphysema that uses a foam sealant sprayed into the lungs.

23 Feb 2013

Optimal lung cancer screening nodule size questioned

Researchers challenge the definition of a positive result in first-round lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

19 Feb 2013

Researchers identify new molecular pathway involved in alveoli growth

In a study of mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a new molecular pathway involved in the growth of tiny air sacs called alveoli that are crucial for breathing. The scientists say their experiments may lead to the first successful treatments to regrow the air sacs in people who suffer from diseases such as emphysema in which the air sacs have been destroyed by years of smoking.

15 Feb 2013

Marijuana may double stroke risk in young adults

Marijuana, the most widely used illicit drug, may double stroke risk in young adults, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2013.

9 Feb 2013

Older adults with COPD more frequently use benzodiazepines

A popular class of drugs commonly used to treat sleep and mood symptoms continues to be frequently prescribed despite being known to have potentially life-threatening side effects.

9 Feb 2013

COPD underdiagnosed in Chinese lung cancer patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated among lung cancer patients in China, study results show.

4 Feb 2013

Double transplants can be successful with donor lungs from heavy smokers

Lungs from carefully selected donors with a heavy smoking history can be used with good results in adult, double-lung transplants, according to a study released today at the 49th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

29 Jan 2013

Call for more COPD screening for smokers

Screening smokers with spirometry for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease picks up more cases than symptom-based detection, research suggests.

22 Jan 2013

Degree of emphysema predicts mortality in ever-smokers with or without COPD

Severity of emphysema, as measured by computed tomography (CT), is a strong independent predictor of all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality in ever-smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study from researchers in Norway. In patients with severe emphysema, airway wall thickness is also associated with mortality from respiratory causes.

18 Jan 2013

AeriSeal System may provide relief for patients with emphysema

Those who have emphysema may soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief. That's because alternative ways to treat advanced cases of the condition are being developed.

17 Jan 2013

UMCG enrolls and treats first patients in RENEW pivotal trial to evaluate RePneu LVRC

PneumRx, Inc., a leader in interventional pulmonology, announced today that University Medical Center Groningen has enrolled and treated the first patients in the FDA-approved RENEW pivotal trial to evaluate the RePneu Lung Volume Reduction Coil.

17 Dec 2012

Almirall, Forest Laboratories' Tudorza Pressair now available in the U.S. pharmacies

Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Almirall, S.A. announced today that Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide inhalation powder) 400mcg is now available in pharmacies throughout the United States.

11 Dec 2012

New investigational procedure may prolong life for patients with severe COPD

November is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month. COPD, also known as emphysema, is the third leading cause of death in the United States, only behind heart disease and cancer. Right now, the only studied interventions that prolong life for patients with severe COPD are supplemental oxygen in people with low oxygen levels and lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in appropriately selected individuals.

28 Nov 2012

BRFSS survey offers state-level rates of COPD prevalence

The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies considerably within the United States, from less than 4 percent of the population in Washington and Minnesota to more than 9 percent in Alabama and Kentucky.

22 Nov 2012

Images of diseased organs have most impact on smokers

Labels that use graphic images as warnings on cigarette packaging have the most pronounced impact on adult smokers compared with other images or text-only labels, say researchers.

16 Nov 2012

MRC funds largest ever study of genetics relating to lung disease

Researchers from the Universities of Nottingham and Leicester are leading the largest ever study of the genetics relating to lung disease.

15 Nov 2012

ALN RNAi therapeutic program represents novel approach for treatment of AAT deficiency

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has presented new pre-clinical data with an RNAi therapeutic targeting alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of liver disease associated with AAT deficiency. These data were presented at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD, "The Liver Meeting") held November 9-13, 2012 in Boston.

15 Nov 2012