New insights into the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious outcome of chronic lung inflammation or environmental exposure. it is characterised by the replacement of lung epithelial tissues by fibroblasts in the repair process following lung injury and by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix that ultimately leads to a loss of functional gas exchange units. Current therapeutic strategies are aimed predominantly at suppressing lung inflammation, the role of which has been documented in the development of fibrosis. Data generated over recent years indicate that fibroproliferation and abnormalities in epithelial repair may have a greater pathophysiological role than inflammation, thus representing new opportunities for therapeutic interventions. This review examines the patent literature in this area from 1999 to 2002 with some discussion of primary literature and older citations when appropriate.