Antioxidant therapy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: hope is kindled.

T he new American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias [1] has redefined entities previously grouped as ‘‘idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’’ (IPF), but carrying a much better prognosis than that disorder. As a result, the core entity of IPF is now diagnosed with greater precision than ever before. The outcome has worsened correspondingly, with an average survival of ,3 yrs from the onset of dyspnoea. Until recently, therapeutic nihilism in IPF has prevailed. Treatment recommendations have come and gone, high-dose corticosteroid therapy has had its day [2], and ‘‘standard therapy’’ has essentially failed.