Author Archives: Forest Ray PhD

Scientists have found that a certain protein helps cells in the airways to clear away mucus, such as the mucus that builds up in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This discovery, they noted, suggests that boosting the activity of this protein, called adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), could become a…

X-PLO₂R, a portable oxygen concentrator developed by Belluscura and its research partner Separation Design Group, has been cleared for commercialization in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the company’s premarket notification, or 510(k), and granted marketing authorization to the new device. Premarket notification is a formal…

As part of its Catalyst Grant program, the American Lung Association (ALA) has awarded $50,000 for a project aimed at regenerating damaged lung tissue. Researcher Ya-Wen Chen, PhD, hopes her project will ultimately help to improve lung function in people with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease…

Evidence of a new potential therapeutic target — a protein called free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4) — in the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been found in a new study. The study, “Pathophysiological…

Verona Pharma has started the second part of a Phase 2 trial evaluating its investigational therapy ensifentrine (RPL544) in patients in the U.K. with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), following delays related to COVID-19, the company announced in a press release. Part…

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be more cautious when taking metformin, a common medication used to treat diabetes. In patients with both COPD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metformin carries a higher risk for pneumonia, hospitalization for COPD, and invasive mechanical ventilation. This…

Younger patients report feeling a heavier burden and greater daily impact from the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than older patients, a global survey has revealed. Physicians should thus optimize treatment for these younger patients, say researchers leading the survey. The findings were published in an article,…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) appears to be a risk factor for lung cancer, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer, regardless of smoking status, a data study from Korea reported. The study, “Cancer development in patients with COPD: a retrospective analysis of the National Health Insurance Service-National…

Having small airways compared to lung size may contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in many non-smokers, a retrospective study has found. The finding broadens understanding of the risk factors involved in COPD, say  Columbia University Irving Medical Center researchers, whose work, “Association of Dysanapsis…

As air pollution levels fall in the wake of widespread lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one in six U.K. residents with lung conditions report improving symptoms. More than half report a noticeable decrease in air pollution since lockdowns began. These figures come from a British Lung Foundation…