A Promising New Treatment for Acute Lung Injuries
A research group that is led from the University of Turku found a new treatment that significantly reduces the mortality rate of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
In Europe, the United States and Japan alone, 300 000–400 000 people suffer from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) every year and a third of the patients die from the disease. ARDS is developed after an injury to the lung, which can be caused by infections, accidents or surgeries.
There is no medication for ARDS and the only option available for the patients is support of vital functions in an intensive care unit.
In the new research publication, Professor Sirpa Jalkanen’s research group presented their identification of a mechanism that upholds the function of the pulmonary blood vessels.
– With this mechanism, we can prevent the lung injuries from developing, says Jalkanen.
The findings are based on the long-term development of the original discovery the group made over ten years ago. The researchers found out that a specific drug, interferon-beta, increases the function of a molecule that protects the lungs.
In the newly published research, the researchers present their finding that the drug significantly reduces the mortality of patients with ARDS.
– The administration of interferon-beta reduced mortality by 81 percent compared with the control group. Due to the treatment, the vital functions of the patients required less supportive intensive care, says Jalkanen.
On the basis of the promising clinical trials, the preparations for a wider clinical trial have started and are partly funded by the EU.
The research results were published in the internationally esteemed The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.
Text: Tuomas Koivula
Translation: Mari Ratia