Timing impact on the initiation of pirfenidone therapy on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease progression

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Lei et al, with a specific focus on the timing of the initiation of the antifibrotic agent pirfenidone (PFD) in the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and its impact on lung function of IPF patients. PFD is an antifibrotic agent that is widely used in the management of IPF in both early and advanced stages. It inhibits various pathways and has antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Despite dosage lowering, PFD slowed IPF progression and maintained functional capacity. The 6-min walk distance test indicated that patients tolerated adverse events well, and PFD significantly reduced the incidence of progression episodes and death. Even when a single disease-progression event occurred, continuing PFD treatment had benefits.