There’s a lot happening in the cystic fibrosis world, so here’s the latest scoop.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes progressive and constant lung infections as well as prohibits the ability to breathe over time. At the moment, the vast majority of CF diagnoses are determined in children by the age of two.
However, new findings show that more and more adults are being diagnosed with the disease.
Dr. Sarah Averill of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health writes,
“Because adult medical and imaging services are dealing with a rising number and complexity of multisystem complications, many authorities now regard CF to be as much a disease of adulthood as one of childhood.”
Dr. Averill also determined that non classic imaging findings now allow radiologists to better cater to adult patients diagnosed with CF. So, as more adults are diagnosed with CF, there is also a wide spectrum of approaches radiologists can take to their track disease progression, specifically, in adult populations.
To learn more about this article, which is published in the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), click this link.
This increase in adulthood diagnoses of cystic fibrosis can also potentially be aided by a new saliva-based test that screens for 67 hereditary conditions (CF included). The genetic test will presumably give customers an awareness of their genetic history a well as show them how a snapshot of their DNA may impact future lifestyle choices concerning their health (as well as their offspring).
The user-friendly and do-it-yourself kit will probably make it a lot easier for people to find out about their health and the health of their future generations without having to go to the doctor.
Co-founder of the biopharmaceutical company that made this kit, Justin Kao, is optimistic and excited about the usefulness of patient DNA testing for carrier screening:
“[It] is one of the most well-known and sought-after types of DNA tests, and we are proud to feature CarrierCheck in our marketplace to provide people with an accessible carrier screen that also offers genetic counseling support.”
To read more about this at-home DNA test, click here.
For a cheaper, at-home, self diagnosis test (of sorts), there are also some common chest infections symptoms to look out for in already diagnosed cystic fibrosis patients.
These include fever, coughing up phlegm and/or blood, difficulty breathing, feeling unwell, and vomiting.
For more information on these symptoms and chest infections in CF patients, read this.
In other CF news, biopharmaceutical company Novoclem Therapeutics just announced five inaugural members to its scientific advisory board.
These five carefully selected medical professors…
“…will be a key strategic resource as [Novoclem] continues to develop technology against bacteria that infect CF patients’ lungs.”
With the company projecting to submit its investigational new drug application for a nitric oxide-releasing biopolymer therapy for CF to the FDA as well as begin clinical trials in 2018, it will need all the brain power it can get.
Hopefully, this newly selected advisory board will help move Novoclem’s product into clinical trials sooner and more effectively.
To read more on this and Novoclem’s newest drug candidate, click this.
There’s a lot going on in the cystic fibrosis world; with all this new information, we can expect to see greater advancement in treatments as well as diagnosis in the near future.
In the meantime, stay tuned on Patient Worthy for the latest updates on CF and other rare diseases!
What are your thoughts about ongoing research for rare diseases? Share your thoughts, and your hopes, with the Patient Worthy community!
To learn more about CF, visit our partners Cystic Life and Strawfie Challenge!
