Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
(IPF)

What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?

IPF is a progressive, interstitial lung disease that causes inflammation and scarring in the lung. This scarring worsens over time, eventually making it difficult for the lung to expand with every breath and absorb oxygen. As of right now, there is no cure for IPF, and the cause of the disease remains unknown.

Roughly 132,000 people in the United States are affected by IPF, and that number continues to grow with 30,000-40,000 new cases each year.

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, July 1). Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. MedlinePlus. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/#frequency

Affecting between 13-20 per 100,000 people worldwide, the disease is more common in people who are 50 years of age or older. More men are affected than women.

Symptoms

Because IPF is a disease that causes scarring in the lung, it mostly affects respiratory function. Common symptoms with IPF are:

  • Dry, persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Discomfort in the chest
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Finger clubbing

These symptoms may be mild or nonexistent at the start of your diagnosis but are likely to worsen as the disease progresses.

What are my options?

You can explore any of the treatment plans below with your care team to find out what works best for you depending on your stage of IPF.

  • Supplemental Oxygen

    While carrying an oxygen tank is at times inconvenient, it may be useful when you are struggling to catch your breath.

  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation

    Pulmonary rehabilitation includes small exercises and diet plans to help you feel more normal again (or close to it). Practicing movement and slowing down when needed is key to fighting this disease.

  • Lung Transplant

    While waiting for a lung transplant may be a long and exhausting process, it offers additional years to live free from pain.

  • Palliative Care

    Monitoring your actions and ensuring you have a helping hand is incredibly important. As the disease progresses, it will become increasingly challenging to perform everyday tasks. It’s okay – and encouraged – to let someone help.

  • Medication

    There are currently two medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of IPF. Contact your provider for more information on what may work best for you.

Patient Education

At Endeavor, we believe that advocating for yourself as a patient is important. Here are some tools to help get you started. As always, we encourage discussing any and all information provided below with your doctor.

What help can Endeavor Offer?

Endeavor is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial to study our investigational therapy, ENV-101, to potentially help better the lives of those who are living with IPF. ENV-101 acts on a protein in the body that is thought to be involved in the scarring of the lungs. By blocking this process, ENV-101 may slow progression of the disease, which may improve the symptoms of IPF.

We are currently enrolling for this trial. If you are interested, please use this link to find a trial location near you.

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