New Drug for Scarring Lung Disease

A drug that helps to block scar formation appears promising for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. In this disease, the lungs build up scar tissue. There is no apparent cause, and no effective treatment. About 50,000 people are affected by IPF. The study involved 423 people. Half took a new drug called BIBF 1120. The other half took a placebo. People taking the drug had better lung function and better quality of life. The study was published September 22 in the New England Journal of Medicine. HealthDay News wrote about it September 21.