Abstract: Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease marked by excessive buildup of extracellular matrix and abnormal tissue remodeling. This leads to irreversible loss of lung function and a major decline in quality of life. The disease places a heavy burden on patients, their families, and healthcare systems. For years, treatment options were limited, with no proven effective therapies. However, recent progress in understanding the disease mechanisms has spurred the development of new treatments. This review outlines the latest insights into the pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis and explores emerging therapies, including medicine, stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and biologics. The goal is to provide a comprehensive resource for clinical practice and to highlight future research directions for improving patient outcomes.
Mao et al. (2026) studied this question.