Emerging Approved Treatments for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Some Hope for Patients?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), or usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP) is one of the most common causes of pulmonary fibrosis. It is characterized by progressive fibrosis of both lungs. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of high resolution CT scan of chest or open lung biopsy. Treatment for UIP has been mainly empirical. Besides lung transplant, no clear-cut medical therapy has emerged. In 2010 European union approved pirfenidone. The approval by this drug lagged in USA. On October 15th 2014, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Nintedanib and Pirfenidone for patient use in United States of America. We present a brief commentary on the basic disease process and the new emerging therapies.