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Top pulmonology news from June: Updates on IPF therapy, sleep apnea pharmacology, water pipe risks and more

Healio Pulmonology has you covered. The Editors have compiled a list of the most-popular articles posted on Healio Pulmonology in June.

See below for links to research on a novel therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, FDA approval of a new indication for Zerbaxa for bacterial pneumonia, sarcoidosis in older adults and more.

Novel therapy for IPF shows sustained long-term benefits

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with a recombinant human pentraxin 2 protein exhibited sustained reductions in decline of FVC and 6-minute walking distance at 76 weeks, according to data presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference and simultaneously published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Read more

FDA approves new Zerbaxa indication for bacterial pneumonia

The FDA has approved a new indication for Zerbaxa for the treatment of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia in patients aged 18 years and older. Zerbaxa (Merck) is an antibacterial combination product for IV infusion consisting of the cephalosporin antibacterial drug ceftolozane sulfate and the beta-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam sodium. Read more

Novel pharmacologic combination shows potential for reducing obstructive sleep apnea severity

A combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin administered before bedtime resulted in a significant reduction in severity of obstructive sleep apnea compared with placebo in a small study published. Read more

Obstructive sleep apnea increases risk for type 2 diabetes

Patients with untreated moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea were at higher risk for incident type 2 diabetes that was nonlinear along the continuum of apnea-hypopnea index. Read more

Investigational inhaled asthma combination meets primary endpoint: QUARTZ

Novartis announced the first study results from the phase 3 PLATINUM clinical development program assessing the safety and efficacy of an investigational, once-daily, fixed-dose combination asthma treatment containing indacaterol acetate and mometasone furoate. Read more

Water-pipe smoking increases risk for coronary artery calcium progression

In a new study, adults who reported exclusive water-pipe smoking had a higher risk for coronary heart disease, based on the presence and extent of coronary artery calcium, compared with nonsmokers. Read more

Smoking unfiltered cigarettes doubles risk for lung cancer mortality

In an analysis of the National Lung Screening Trial, adults who reported smoking unfiltered cigarettes had a 30% higher risk for all-cause mortality and were nearly twice as likely to die of lung cancer. Read more

Sarcoidosis diagnosed in older patients linked to worse outcomes

In a new study, sarcoidosis appeared to require a high index of suspicion in elderly patients because older patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis presented with more severe disease and worse outcomes compared with younger patients. Read more

Solriamfetol improves wakefulness, sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea

Among patients with obstructive sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness, solriamfetol significantly increased wakefulness and reduced sleepiness with mostly mild or moderate adverse events, according to results from the TONES 3 study. Read more