Doxycycline: An Old Drug with A New Role in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

 Given the lack of knowledge of the etiology, pathogenesis and natural history of  IPF, it is perhaps not surprising that that there is a lack of high quality evidence  for the 'standard' treatments currently in use. In such a scenario the ideal therapy  for IPF is still awaited. The present article reviews the potential role of  doxycycline as a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of IPF substantiated by  results of relevant studies on doxycycline. The Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)  inhibitor property of doxycycline may help it gain its role in IPF in years to come.