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HEIDELBERG, GERMANY – In a surprising development, researchers have identified a common over-the-counter cough suppressant, dextromethorphan, as a potential weapon against the debilitating lung disease, lung fibrosis. The study, led by scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Heidelberg and published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggests this widely available drug could help reduce severe lung scarring.
Lung fibrosis is a serious condition characterized by the buildup of scar tissue in the lungs, making breathing progressively difficult. It often affects older adults and can be triggered by various factors, including environmental irritants, certain medications like chemotherapy drugs, chronic lung diseases, and autoimmune disorders. The impact is significant; according to World Health Organization data from 2019, lung fibrosis affected approximately 761,000 people in Europe, leading to 25,000 deaths and nearly half a million years of healthy life lost.
The breakthrough came as EMBL scientists, collaborating with the Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg and the German Center for Lung Research, searched for existing drugs that could be repurposed to treat the condition. Using advanced high-throughput microscopy and an innovative “scar-in-a-jar” laboratory model, they screened a library of FDA-approved drugs.
Their findings pinpointed dextromethorphan as a candidate capable of interfering with the fibrosis process. The research indicates that dextromethorphan works by blocking the production and potentially the movement of collagen, a key protein that accumulates excessively in fibrotic scar tissue.
While the results are encouraging, the research team emphasizes that this is still in the early stages. Their next steps involve delving deeper into precisely how dextromethorphan achieves this effect and identifying its specific molecular targets within the disease pathway. Ultimately, the goal is to potentially develop improved versions of the drug specifically tailored for treating lung fibrosis.
This discovery opens a potential new avenue for treating a disease with limited effective therapies, offering hope that a common cough medicine ingredient might one day play a role in combating severe lung scarring.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on early-stage scientific research. The findings regarding dextromethorphan and lung fibrosis require further investigation and clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy in humans. Individuals should not self-treat lung fibrosis with cough syrup or any medication containing dextromethorphan based on this preliminary research. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options.
