An update on current and emerging drug treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Future for IPF management will need to focus on current unresolved issues. First a primary pathogenetic pathway has not been clearly identified. Future management may involve a combination of the brushstroke approach with antifibrotics with targeted treatments for specific pathways in patient subsets following an 'oncological' approach. Another unmet need is the management of exacerbations, which are deadly in most cases, as well as either treating or preventing lung cancer.