Pirfenidone in respirable powder form for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis: A safer alternative to the current oral delivery system?

摘要

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive scarring disorder of the lungs with unknown aetiology and high mortality, characterized by dyspnea, cough, and ultimately respiratory failure [l]. The prevalence and incidence of IPF are estimated to be 14-42.7 and 6.8—16.3 per 100,000, respectively, and they increase markedly with aging [2]. Progressive deterioration of pulmonary function is inevitable, which increasingly limits the normal physical activity of the patients [3]. In the treatment of IPF, there are at least three clinical goals: ? Prevention or delay of disease progression using anti-fibrotic agents; ? Alleviation of symptoms; ■ Management of disease-specific complications [4].