Cell-based therapies for a variety of lung diseases can be considered safe, according to an analysis that pooled data from all available clinical trials of stem cell therapies. Although death rates were lower in treated patients compared to controls, findings did not indicate any statistically significant differences in either the…

Use of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging technique can help identify features of thoracic sarcoidosis, researchers in India report. Because of its superior imaging capacity, they said, this method may allow clinicians to identify subtle chest abnormalities commonly undetectable by standard methods. The results were published in the study “…

During Rare Disease Week 2017 on Capitol Hill, the nonprofit Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) co-cohosted a briefing to members of Congress stressing the importance of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in April. The FSR says recognizing the month would draw more attention to, enhance awareness of, and promote more…

The third annual national awareness campaign “Seek Answers. Inspire Results” aims to bring attention to patients with sarcoidosis. The campaign, a collaboration between the CHEST Foundation and the Foundation of Sarcoidosis Research (FSR), is set to coincide with the National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in April. Although sarcoidosis is a treatable condition…

An analysis of the usefulness of chest X-ray screening for sarcoidosis among patients with a certain type of eye inflammation (uveitis) failed to answer the question of whether it might be better to omit X-ray screening from initial evaluations in favor of more sensitive imaging techniques. Researchers stated that this failure…

Most patients with sarcoidosis have a similar risk of cancer compared to the general population, but some patients with more a more advanced form of the disease may have twice the risk of developing blood cancer, according to results from recent research. The study, “Risk Of Malignancy Among Patients With…

A recent review discussed other options besides prednisone and methotrexate in treating sarcoidosis, including antimetabolites similar in action to methotrexate, antimalarial agents, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel, biological agents, and antimycobacterial therapy, which is normally used to treat tuberculosis. The review, “Sarcoidosis: treatments beyond prednisone and methotrexate,” was published…

Measuring the levels of the blood marker soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patients with suspected sarcoidosis offers more sensitive diagnostic guidance than other commonly used markers, and allows physicians to identify patients with multiple organ involvement, according to a recent study. The marker also was seen to correspond to disease…

Closely monitoring the effect of steroid treatment in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis can help detect any resistance that may develop against the treatment and help doctors identify patients who might need increased doses of immunosuppressive therapy. Cardiac sarcoidosis, or sarcoidosis of the heart, is a medical…

A large U.S. study found that bone sarcoidosis is more prevalent in white women and is linked to a number of affected organs. According to the authors, these findings can improve the knowledge of bone involvement in sarcoidosis and the methods of detection, as well as help define treatment strategies. The…