A phase III clinical trial has demonstrated better lung function within 15 days among a group of 6- to 11-year-olds with cystic fibrosis (CF) who took ivacaftor (Kalydeco) with lumacaftor (Orkambi), according to a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine and presented at the European Cystic Fibrosis Society conference, Medscape reports.

The study, led by a team from the University of Toronto, Canada, involved 206 children in 9 countries aged between 6 and 11 with cystic fibrosis who were either given the drug combination or a placebo for 24 weeks. The trial took place across 54 hospitals in 9 countries.

The study found that those taking the drug combination were able to clear air from their lungs more effectively compared to patients given a placebo who saw no change.

A leading cystic fibrosis charity is calling on the manufacturers of one of the drugs to cut its price to make it more affordable to patients.

Read more at www.medscape.com