Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg have identified dextromethorphan, a common over-the-counter cough suppressant, as a potential treatment for lung fibrosis, a severe lung condition characterized by excessive scarring caused by collagen accumulation. Their study, published in Science Translational Medicine, demonstrates that dextromethorphan can reduce lung fibrosis by inhibiting collagen production, thereby addressing the stiffness of lung tissue that impairs breathing and oxygen supply.
Lung fibrosis can stem from various sources, including environmental irritants, chemotherapy, and autoimmune diseases, affecting approximately 761,000 people in the European region, according to the World Health Organization. Given the lack of current effective treatments, the researchers focused on repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs, using innovative techniques to evaluate their efficacy.
Preclinical tests involving mouse models and 3D human lung tissue cultures have shown promising results, leading to plans for phase II clinical trials to assess the drug’s effectiveness in human patients. The research team, including Muzamil Majid Khan and Rainer Pepperkok, aims to refine dextromethorphan’s application and understand its mechanisms of action, which could pave the way for improved therapies for lung fibrosis.
