Lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Publication date: Available online 1 April 2017 Source:Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Author(s): Theodoros Karampitsakos, Vasilios Tzilas, Rodoula Tringidou, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Vasilis Aidinis, Spyros A. Papiris, Demosthenes Bouros, Argyris Tzouvelekis Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrotic lung disease of unknown etiology. With a gradually increasing worldwide prevalence and a mortality rate exceeding that of many cancers, IPF diagnosis and management are critically important and require a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. This approach also involves assessment of comorbid conditions, such as lung cancer, that exerts a dramatic impact on disease survival. Emerging evidence suggests that progressive lung scarring in the context of IPF represents a risk factor for lung carcinogenesis. Both disease entities present with major similarities in terms of pathogenetic pathways, as well as potential causative factors, such as smoking and viral infections. Besides disease pathogenesis, anti-cancer agents, including nintedanib, have been successfully applied in the treatment of patients with IPF while an oncologic approach with a cocktail of several pleiotropic anti-fibrotic agents is currently in the therapeutic pipeline of IPF. Nevertheless, epidemiologic association between IPF and lung cancer does not prove causality. Currently there is significant lack of knowledge supporting a direct association between lung fibrosis and ca...
Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research