ABSTRACT
Introduction
The enthusiasm generated by the approval of pirfenidone and nintedanib as the first effective therapies for IPF led the IPF scientific community to investigate an increasing number of novel agents in well-designed randomized controlled trials, in the hope to find a cure for these patients.
Areas covered
This reviews the evidence from IPF phase II trials that were completed or started in 2020. Literature search was performed using Medline and Clinicaltrials.org databases.
Expert opinion
Randomized clinical trials revolutionized the management of IPF, leading to the discovery of the first therapies capable of slowing down functional deterioration in these patients. The recently published findings of the first successful phase II trials since pirfenidone and nintedanib will hopefully inaugurate a new era in the therapeutic scenario of IPF, where consolidated treatments of proven efficacy and novel targeted agents contribute together to reach the final goal of halting the fibrotic process of this dreadful disease.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.