A groundbreaking new study published in CHEST has provided exciting insights into the impact of CFTR modulators on pregnancy outcomes for individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Conducted at 11 adult CF centers across the United States—including the prestigious National Jewish Health as a leading site—the retrospective analysis reviewed data from 307 pregnancies that took place between 2010 and 2021.

CFTR modulators are a revolutionary class of medications that significantly improve the function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein. These medications have transformed the lives of many patients with CF, enhancing their lung health, weight, and overall quality of life. The primary objective of the study was to explore how these modulators affect maternal health during and after pregnancy.

Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Cousar, a prominent pulmonologist and senior author of the study, emphasized the study's importance, stating, "This is the biggest study in the modern era of CF pregnancies." Historically, fewer than 200 pregnancies occurred annually among women with CF in the U.S. due to the disease's severe effects, which often prevented them from reaching childbearing age or sustaining pregnancies.

Encouragingly, the study found that pregnancy outcomes improved for women using CFTR modulators. Most notably, the health of babies born to mothers who were exposed to these medications during pregnancy was generally robust. Researchers examined medical records of women who either used CFTR modulators or did not during their pregnancies over the last decade. Astonishingly, pregnant individuals receiving these medications demonstrated improvements in lung function, reflected by a significant uptick in percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1), while those not on modulators experienced a decline in lung health.

These promising results signal that the use of CFTR modulators during pregnancy may not only bolster maternal well-being, particularly in terms of lung function, but could also ensure better outcomes for the infant. However, the researchers noted the study's limitations, particularly its relatively small cohort and short observation period, which underscores the necessity for additional research into the long-term effects of modulator use during pregnancy on both mothers and babies.

In an exciting development, the ongoing Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in the Era of Modulators (MAYFLOWERS) study, involving 41 sites, is aimed at further investigating this topic. The study will closely follow over 300 women throughout their pregnancies and after childbirth, shaping the future landscape of care for pregnant individuals with cystic fibrosis.

Stay tuned as this evolving story continues to unfold, promising hope and new possibilities for those navigating the challenges of cystic fibrosis.