A new project looking at the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis has been funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership. Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition that occurs because of ‘scars’ (fibrosis) developing in the lungs. There are limited treatments for the condition and there is no cure, but previous research has shown that an antibiotic called co-trimoxazole may be beneficial.
Researchers, led by Dr Andrew Wilson, of the University of East Anglia, are investigating whether co-trimoxazole, when given alongside current treatments, improves life expectancy or reduces the chances of a person with pulmonary fibrosis being admitted to hospital.
Half of the people taking part in the trial will be given co-trimoxazole, while the other half will be given a placebo. The effect of the antibiotic will not only be judged by the number of hospital admissions and deaths, but on the amount of bacteria present, extent of scarring and inflammation.
