Could a lung scarring drug help ARDS patients breathe easier?

NCT ID NCT05075161

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether pirfenidone, a drug already used for a different lung disease, can prevent scarring in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). About 130 people on ventilators will receive either pirfenidone or a placebo through a feeding tube. The goal is to see if the drug helps them spend fewer days on a ventilator and improves recovery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Pirfenidone

What this could lead to

If it works, this could provide a new treatment to prevent long-term lung damage in patients with severe respiratory failure.

What could go wrong

This is an early test in humans for ARDS, so the drug may not work as hoped. Side effects from pirfenidone, like nausea or liver issues, are possible.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute respiratory distress syndrome adult acute respiratory distress syndrome pulmonary fibrosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • A.O.R San Carlo

    RECRUITING

    Potenza, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza

    RECRUITING

    Torino, 10126, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • AOU Pisana

    RECRUITING

    Pisa, Italy

    Contact

  • AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone

    RECRUITING

    Palermo, Italy

    Contact

  • ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia

    RECRUITING

    Brescia, 25123, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Astana Medical University

    RECRUITING

    Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana

    RECRUITING

    Pisa, 56126, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese

    RECRUITING

    Siena, 53100, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine

    RECRUITING

    Udine, 33100, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

    RECRUITING

    Milan, Italy

    Contact

    Contact

  • Fondazione PTV - Policlinico Tor Vergata

    RECRUITING

    Rome, 00133, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute

    RECRUITING

    Milan, MI, 20132, Italy

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ospedale Cesare Arrigo

    RECRUITING

    Alessandria, Piedmont, 15121, Italy

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio - Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Cagliari

    RECRUITING

    Cagliari, 09123, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ospedale Santa Maria

    RECRUITING

    Bari, Italy

    Contact

  • Ospedale Uboldo di Cernusco sul Naviglio

    RECRUITING

    Milan, 20070, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ospedale di Merano

    RECRUITING

    Merano, Italy

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••