New research points to long-term benefits for cystic fibrosis patients who were treated with Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for up to five years.
The drug preserved lung function, improved the nutritional status, and reduced hospital visits and chronic bacterial infections in people with CF when [Kalydeco was] administered for up to five years in a clinical setting.
In the US cohort, patients taking Kalydeco had a decrease in FEV of 0.7%, whereas the reduction for those not taking the treatment was 8.3%. In the UK cohort, the therapy improved pulmonary function (increase of 4.9% in FEV values), compared to FEV decrease of 4.3% in patients not receiving Kalydeco.
