[Antifibrotic therapies: Where do we stand 10years later?]

Fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are severe respiratory conditions that can lead to respiratory failure and death. Over the past decade, antifibrotic therapies have represented a significant therapeutic advancement and are now widely used.

Pirfenidone and nintedanib have been approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), while only nintedanib has been approved for systemic sclerosis-related ILD and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Both drugs help to reduce the decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) characterizing these three indications and to decrease mortality, acute exacerbations, and quality of life impairment in patients with IPF and PPF.

Tolerance to these treatments remains a major challenge, prompting evaluation of alternative administration routes, such as inhalation. Numerous ongoing clinical trials and encouraging results from phase 3 studies are expected to lead to the approval of new antifibrotic molecules.

Antifibrotic therapies have proven to be crucial in the management of IPF and PPF. Prescription should be a shared decision with the patient and may be considered at an early stage, even in elderly individuals, provided that dedicated support is avaialble.