A number of important discoveries, therapeutic developments, and events related to bronchiectasis were reported by Bronchiectasis News Today in 2017. Now that the year is over, it is time to briefly review the stories that appealed most to our readers.
Here are the 10 most-read articles of 2017, with a brief description of what made them interesting and relevant to bronchiectasis patients, family members, and caregivers.
No. 10 – Study Identifies Key Variables in Survival of Bronchiectasis Patients
Turkish researchers have identified key factors that can contribute to the high mortality rates associated with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. According to the study results, older age, presence of secondary disorders, reduced partial oxygen pressure, pulmonary hypertension, and presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection can increase the mortality risk of patients with bronchiectasis.
No. 9 – P. aeruginosa Adapts in Cystic Fibrosis and Non-CF Bronchiectasis in Like Ways, Study Finds
P. aeruginosa is a microorganism that can cause serious chronic lung infections in patients with CF and non-CF bronchiectasis. Results of a research study have shown that although these diseases have different causes and progression course, the bacterium undergoes similar adaptation mechanisms in the lungs of both groups of patients. Better understanding of these mechanisms may help develop improved therapies to tackle P. aeruginosa infections.
No. 8 – New Tool Predicting Bronchiectasis Episodes Allows Targeted Preventive Measures
An international research team has developed a new prognostic tool for patients with bronchiectasis. The new E-FACED score is an updated version of the existing FACED score, which takes into account a lung function measurement, age, chronic P. aeruginosa infection, the number of lung lobes affected, and presence of symptoms of shortness of breath. By adding to FACED score information on the number and severity of bronchiectasis exacerbations, the E-FACE score can significantly increase the capacity to predict future yearly exacerbations while maintaining the score’s simplicity and prognostic capacity for death.
No. 7 – Bayer’s Ciprofloxacin DPI Shows Promise in Treating Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
Two clinical trials, RESPIRE 1 (NCT01764841) and RESPIRE 2 (NCT02106832), sponsored by Bayer, tested the potential of ciprofloxacin Dry Powder for Inhalation (ciprofloxacin DPI) to reduce exacerbations in non-CF bronchiectasis patients with chronic lung infections. Preliminary results showed that the investigative therapy, administrated to patients in a 28-days-on, 28-days-off treatment regimen, could increase the time to the first pulmonary exacerbation of bronchiectasis from 186 days (placebo group) to 336 days.
No. 6 – Aradigm Advances Development of Linhaliq (Formerly Pulmaquin) for Non-CF Bronchiectasis
Aradigm and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have met to discuss the Phase 3 clinical data of Linhaliq (ciprofloxacin) to advance the drug’s development and obtain its marketing authorization and approval. The two Phase 3 studies, ORBIT-3 (NCT01515007) and ORBIT-4 (NCT02104245), showed that the drug could increase the median time to first pulmonary exacerbation in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis compared to a placebo. Also, treatment with Linhaliq decreased the number of pulmonary exacerbations during the study period.
No. 5 – FACED Score Predicts Mortality, Disease Severity, Exacerbations in Bronchiectasis Patients
A research study demonstrated that the FACED score is an accurate tool to predict bronchiectasis outcome and disease progression. The score was found to predict all-cause and respiratory mortality with 81% and 82% accuracy, and more severe exacerbations (meaning at least one hospitalization per year) with 82% accuracy. FACED also was shown to have the power to predict with 78% accuracy which patients were more susceptible to have at least two exacerbations or one hospitalization per year.
No. 4 – Untreated Patients with Nodular Bronchiectatic MAC Lung Disease Fare Poorly Over Time, Study Finds
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common infection caused by opportunistic non-tuberculous mycobacteria that can affect patients with lung diseases, including bronchiectatic and cystic fibrosis. MAC-infected patients, in the majority of cases, are asymptomatic; but in the long run MAC infection can lead to irreversible deterioration of the lungs. According to results of a Korean study, patients with MAC lung disease should be better monitored with computed tomography (CT) scans to accurately manage the infection and disease progression.
No. 3 – Aerobika Device Shows Promise in Treating Bronchiectasis, COPD Exacerbations
Trudell Medical International announced that its Aerobika device for airway maintenance therapy can be beneficial for patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. The use of this drug-free, hand-held device was shown to significantly improve patients’ ventilation function after three weeks, with no adverse effects. Aerobika use also induced a clinically significant reduction in exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who frequently develop bronchiectasis.
No. 2 – Antibody Test Identifies Chronic Pseudomonas Lung Infection in Bronchiectasis Patients
Results from a study conducted by British and Spanish research teams have shown that an antibody test might be a better way than the currently used sputum sampling to diagnose chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection among patients with bronchiectasis. The use of a simple blood test was found to be more sensitive to detect P. aeruginosa infection than the common sputum analysis, being able to identify infected patients who had not met the criteria for chronic infection in a previous sputum test.
No. 1 – Removing Antibodies from Bloodstream May Reduce Chronic Lung Infections in Bronchiectasis
Patients with bronchiectasis and chronic P. aeruginosa lung infections have high levels of specific inhibitory antibodies in the blood. Removal of these antibodies from the bloodstream by a method called plasmapheresis was shown to improve disease symptoms and well-being, while promoting greater independence and improved mobility in two patients. Plasmapheresis requires the removal and antibody clearance of blood plasma of the patients, which is then returned to the body.
Bronchiectasis News Today hopes the news reports coming your way throughout 2018 will contribute to educating, informing, and improving the lives of patients living with bronchiectasis.
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We wish all our readers a happy and inspiring 2018.