Potential of anti-inflammatory treatment for cystic fibrosis lung disease

Abstract

Jennifer L Taylor-Cousar1,2, Kelsey A Von Kessel2, Robert Young1, David P Nichols1,21Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA; 2Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USAAbstract: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-shortening genetic disorder in ­Caucasians. With improved diagnosis and treatment, survival has steadily increased. ­Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of patients still die from respiratory failure caused by structural damage resulting from airway obstruction, recurrent infection, and inflammation. Here, we discuss the role of inflammation and the development of anti-inflammatory therapies to treat CF lung disease. The inflammatory host response is the least addressed component of CF airway disease at this time. Current challenges in both preclinical and clinical investigation make the identification of suitable anti-inflammatory drugs more difficult. Despite this, many researchers are making significant progress toward this goal and the CF research community has reason to believe that new therapies will emerge from these efforts.Keywords: therapy, cystic fibrosis, survival, inflammation