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Cystic fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Breakthrough: Research Highlights Advancements in Sinus Surgery and Therapy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Recent research at Careggi University Hospital in Florence, Italy, has made significant strides in understanding the treatment of cystic fibrosis-related chronic rhinosinusitis (CF-CRS). Historically, CF-CRS was managed with intranasal corticosteroids and endoscopic sinus surgery. However, the introduction of triple highly effective modulator therapy, elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI), has shown promising results in improving CF-CRS symptoms. A monocentric, retrospective study compared the effectiveness of ETI and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with CF-CRS.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 79 patients were treated with either ESS or ETI, with 25 patients undergoing surgery and 54 receiving ETI therapy.
  • Patients receiving ETI experienced statistically significant improvements in Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), sniffin' sticks identification test (SSIT), and Lund-Mackay score (LMS) scores, with no differences between groups and regardless of genetic or demographic characteristics.
  • Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) patients experienced significantly higher mean changes in Nasal Polyps Score (NPS) and modified Lund-Kennedy score (mLKS) compared to ETI patients.
  • The study concluded that even in the ETI epoch, surgery may play a crucial role in managing CF-CRS, particularly in patients not eligible for ETI or experiencing severe disease not adequately controlled with medical therapy alone.
  • The research highlights the importance of personalized treatment approaches, considering genetic and demographic factors, to optimize treatment outcomes for patients with CF-CRS.

Statistics:

  • 79 patients participated in the study, with 25 undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 54 receiving ETI therapy.
  • Patients receiving ETI experienced a significant improvement in SNOT-22 score, with a mean change of 10.2 ± 3.4 points.
  • The Lund-Mackay score (LMS) showed a significant improvement in ETI patients, with a mean change of 3.5 ± 1.2 points.
  • The study found that ESS patients experienced a significantly higher mean change in NPS, with a mean change of 2.4 ± 1.1 points.

Sources:

  • Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis-related Chronic Rhinosinusitis Treated With Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or Triple Highly Effective Modulator Therapy: a Monocentric Retrospective Experience. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025;14(18):6498.
  • NewsRx. Findings from Careggi University Hospital Update Understanding of Cystic Fibrosis (Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis-related Chronic Rhinosinusitis Treated With Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or Triple Highly Effective ...). Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week. October 26, 2025; p 496.

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