Drug hope for cystic fibrosis sufferers

The new drug will benefit sufferers with the “Celtic Gene”, a genetic mutation particularly common in Ireland.

Researchers from across the Europe, USA and Australia have found “significant” improvement in lung function and a reduction in disease flare-ups for those receiving the new treatment.

The drug, VX-770, is a significant breakthrough not only for those with the Celtic Gene but also for all other cystic fibrosis sufferers as it indicates that the “basic defect” in the condition can be treated.

Stuart Elborn, director of the Centre for Infection and Immunity at Queen’s University, and co-leader of the study, said: “The development of this drug is significant because it is the first to show that treating the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis may have profound effects on the disease, even among people who have been living with it for decades.”

Dr Judy Bradley, from the University of Ulster said: “This drug opens the defective channel in the lung cells of people with cystic fibrosis and allows proper lung clearance of bacteria.

“This is a groundbreaking treatment because it treats the basic defect caused by the gene mutation in patients.

“Correcting the cells with this mutation shows that treatments aimed at the basic mutation can work leading to improvements in lung function and symptoms.”

The new drug is expected to be available early next year.

Researchers say it is “too early” to say whether it will improve life expectancy, but the tests “suggest” that “survival will be better.”