First Paediatric Patient starts on new drug for treatment of Cystic Fibrosis at Galway University Hospitals

 
Galway University Hospitals is delighted to announce that the first paediatric patient who is suited to the new drug Kalydeco has started treatment at the hospital.
 
Kalydeco is a new innovative medicine for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients who have the G551D mutation.
 
Dr Mary Herzig, Consultant General and Respiratory Paediatrician at GUH explains the significance of the new drug. She says, “Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic condition caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein and Kalydeco is the first in a new class of drugs known as CFTR potentiators. Just over 10% of patients with CF in Ireland have the G551D mutation and at GUH we have three paediatric patients and three adult patients who are suited to take the new drug and who are commencing treatment.
 
“The benefits of this new drug includes significant improvements in lung function, increased body weight, improvement in patients’ quality of life and a 55% reduction in pulmonary exacerbations. Most CF drugs simply treat the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis. This new drug is different in that is targets an underlying cause of CF in the small number of patients who have a very specific type of CF.”
 
Photo Caption:
Ava Corbett from Knocknacarra, Galway the first paediatric patient with CF to start treatment with a new drug at Galway University Hospitals, with (from left): Orela Ryan-Fox, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Cystic Fibrosis; Dr Mary Herzig, Consultant Paediatrician and Ava’s parents Simone and Kenneth Corbett.