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Updated: May 20, 2026
Establishment and Validation of a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with Pulmonary Fibrosis
Published on: May 23, 2025
Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with losartan: a pilot project
Marisa Couluris1, Brent W Kinder, Ping Xu
1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA. mcouluri@health.usf.edu
Background:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial lung disease with no current effective therapies. Treatment has focused on antifibrotic agents to stop proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen deposition in the lung. We present the first clinical trial data on the use of losartan, an antifibrotic agent, to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of losartan on progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis measured by the change in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC) after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the change in forced expiratory volume at 1 second, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide, 6-minute walk test distance, and baseline/transition dyspnea index.
Methods:
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a baseline %FVC of ≥50 % were treated with losartan 50 mg by mouth daily for 12 months. Pulmonary function testing, 6-minute walk, and breathlessness indices were measured every 3 months.
Results:
Twenty participants with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were enrolled and 17 patients were evaluable for response. Twelve patients had a stable or improved %FVC at study month 12. Similar findings were observed in secondary end-point measures, including 58, 71, and 65 % of patients with stable or improved forced expiratory volume at 1 second, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and 6-minute walk test distance, respectively. No treatment-related adverse events that resulted in early study discontinuation were reported.
Conclusion:
Losartan stabilized lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis over 12 months. Losartan is a promising agent for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has a low toxicity profile.
Insights
Losartan stabilized lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) over 12 months. This antifibrotic agent shows promise for treating IPF with a favorable safety profile.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease with limited therapeutic options.
- Current treatments focus on antifibrotic agents to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition.
- This study introduces the first clinical trial data for losartan, an antifibrotic agent, in IPF treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of losartan in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- To assess the effect of losartan on the progression of IPF, measured by %FVC over 12 months.
- To analyze secondary outcomes including pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and dyspnea.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month clinical trial involving patients with IPF and baseline %FVC ≥50%.
- Participants received oral losartan 50 mg daily.
- Regular assessments included pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk tests, and breathlessness indices every 3 months.
Main Results:
- Out of 20 enrolled participants, 17 were evaluable.
- Twelve patients (approximately 70%) demonstrated stable or improved %FVC at 12 months.
- Secondary endpoints showed similar stabilization: 58% for FEV1, 71% for DLCO, and 65% for 6MWT distance.
Conclusions:
- Losartan demonstrated the ability to stabilize lung function in IPF patients over a 12-month period.
- Losartan is identified as a promising therapeutic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- The study highlights losartan's low toxicity profile, with no reported treatment-related adverse events leading to discontinuation.
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