Research in focus reports
Our Research in focus reports aim to give an overview of an aspect of cystic fibrosis where our funding is making a difference.
Research in focus: on long term effects of Kaftrio.
The clinical trials of the CFTR modulator medicine Kaftrio were important to show that it is beneficial for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, doctors need to have a more complete understanding of how Kaftrio affects people with CF, so they can make any adjustments to CF care in the future, and identify areas where more research is needed to improve how symptoms are managed. A Real World Evidence study called RECOVER is taking place in Ireland and the UK. In this report we explain why this study is needed, what it will tell us and the difference it will make to people with CF and their families in the future.
Our Research in focus report on long term effects of Kaftrio is now available to download.
Additional Resources
More detail about the topics raised in our Research in focus report on long term effects of Kaftrio can be found below.
Research in focus: on alternative ion channels
Around one in 10 people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are unable to benefit from CFTR modulators such as Kaftrio due to the form of CF they have, and new treatments are urgently needed. Alongside the CFTR protein, there are a number of other, alternative ion channels that keep the lungs clear and infection-free. Researchers around the world are pioneering the development of medicines that act on these alternative ion channels as a treatment for everybody with CF, particularly those who do not benefit from CFTR modulators. In January 2022 we published our Research in focus report on alternative ion channels highlighting promising Trust-funded laboratory research underway to find new, alternative-ion-channel medicines.
Our Research in focus on alternative ion channels report is now available to download.
Additional resources
More detail about the topics raised in our Research in focus report on alternative ion channels can be found below.
- Research we’re funding to tackle the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis
- More about our Strategic Research Centre on Restoring airway function in CF using alternative chloride channels
- Read the difference that this research could make to Lizzy’s family
- Watch our CF LIVE from October 2021 on development of new treatments for CF, inclusive of all mutations
- Our Director of Research’s blog on uniting in research for everyone with CF
- Our approach to investing in research
Research in focus: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Cystic fibrosis causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the airways. This prevents the body from being able to effectively remove bacteria, and can cause serious, hard to treat infections. Four out of 10 adults with CF live with infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In September 2021 we published our Research in focus report on P. aeruginosa infections, sharing the progress Trust-funded researchers are making in understanding how this bug adapts itself within the CF lungs. Understanding how this bug adapts may give us novel approaches to treat these infections in the future.
The Research in focus: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections report is now available to download.
Additional resources
More detail about the topics raised in our Research in focus report on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in CF can be found below.
- Research we’re funding to understand and treat CF lung infections
- More about our Strategic Research Centre on understanding the requirements of P. aeruginosa in the CF airways
- Watch SRC Principal Investigator Dr Martin Welch explain his research and the progress they’ve made
- Our approach to investing in research
Research in focus: gut symptoms of cystic fibrosis
Our Research in focus report on gut symptoms of cystic fibrosis was published in June 2021. Many people will experience CF-related symptoms gut pain, visible bloating and flatulence and we know that relief of these symptoms is a priority for the CF community. Currently little is known about how the physiological and biochemical changes within the intestines lead to these symptoms. Our report highlights two Trust-funded research studies that if successful could lead to clinical trials of new medicines to treat these painful and embarrassing symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
The Research in focus: gut symptoms of cystic fibrosis report is now available to download.
Additional resources
More detail about the topics raised in our Research in focus report on the gut symptoms of CF can be found below.
Research in focus: Genetic therapies in cystic fibrosis
In December 2020 we published a research in focus report on genetic therapies in cystic fibrosis. Genetic therapies have the potential to treat the underlying cause of CF for everyone with the condition. The report explains why genetic therapies are important in CF, how they work and the research the Trust has funded exploring a type of genetic therapy called gene editing.
The Research in focus: Genetic therapies in cystic fibrosis report is now available to download.
Additional resources
More detail about some of the topics raised in our Research in focus report on genetic therapies in CF can be found on the following pages:
Research in focus: Antimicrobial resistance in cystic fibrosis
In October 2020 we published a research in focus report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in cystic fibrosis. While AMR is a concern for us all, people living with CF are particularly vulnerable to it. The report highlights how CF researchers are leading the way in tackling AMR in CF, and how the ground-breaking approaches described in this report will be beneficial for people with CF in the future. Innovations made in tackling AMR in CF will also be applicable to solving AMR for all those with drug-resistant infections.
The Research in focus: Antimicrobial resistance in cystic fibrosis report is now available to download
Additional resources
More detail about some of the topics raised in our Research in focus report on antimicrobial resistance in CF can be found on the following pages:
- Research we’re funding to understand and treat lung infections
- An in-depth explanation of a new method for designing antibiotic drugs
- ‘Research blast’ feature explaining some of the research we’re funding in tackling AMR
- More about UK CF Innovation Hub
- CF Syndicate in Antimicrobial Resistance
- Our approach to investing in research
Research in focus: Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
In June 2020 we published a Research in focus report on CF related diabetes. The report explains the impact CF-related diabetes has on the lives of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), what we’ve learnt from our funding so far, and how a new Strategic Research Centre grant could pave the way for insulin-injection free treatments in the future.
The Research in focus: Cystic fibrosis related diabetes report is now available to download.
Additional resources on CF-related diabetes
More detail about some of the topics raised in our Research in Focus report on CF-related diabetes can be found on the following pages:
- Details of the new Strategic Research Centre on CF-related diabetes
- Details of the Strategic Research Centre on CF-related diabetes which started in 2017
- ‘Research Blast’ news feature giving an update on CF-related diabetes research, published on World Diabetes Day in November 2019
- Information on living with CF-related diabetes
- Our approach to investing in research
Research we fund
We fund research to tackle some of the most pressing issues in CF today. Find out how your donations are making a difference.
What is CF?
Cystic fibrosis, or CF, affects the lungs, digestive system and other organs. There are around 11,000 people living with it in the UK.
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