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Most people living with pulmonary fibrosis are affected by cough. Coughing can be intermittent or persistent, and often gets worse over time. Coughing can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those living with and affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, options to treat pulmonary fibrosis cough are limited, but research is being carried out to try to develop new treatments.
The CANAL Study was designed to evaluate how safe and well-tolerated an investigational study drug was, and its effect on cough frequency (how often you cough). The effect of the investigational study drug was being compared to a placebo (a tablet that looks the same as the investigational drug but contained no active ingredients.) All participants in the study received the investigational study drug and the placebo at different times during the study.
On 24th February 2022, Trevi Therapeutics announced that interim analysis of the clinical trial data showed that the effect of the investigational drug on reducing cough was highly statistically significant.
This means that compared to taking a placebo tablet, the investigational drug did reduce cough frequency. Due to the strength of the intermim anaylsis, Trevi Therapeutics have decided to stop enrollment onto the CANAL trial so that they can make plans for the next study to accelerate the development of the investigational drug. This is positive news for the potential development of new treatments for pulmonary fibrosis cough.
Although the CANAL Study has now closed for recruitment, there are several other clinical trials currently recruiting participants in the UK. You can search for all available trials using the European Pulmonary Fibrosis Federation (EU-IPFF) clinical trial finder or by searching on ClinicalTrials.gov.
You must discuss all aspects of your participation or interest in participating in a clinical trial with your medical team.
APF does not endorse or recommend any specific study. All responsibility for the study remains with the sponsors and investigators.
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