Knowledge of these pathogenic mechanisms has led to translational opportunities, for example, research in the use of methylprednisolone, DNAse, aspirin, keratinocyte growth factor and in the development of stem cell therapy for ARDS.
While preclinical studies have shown the therapeutic benefits of FGFs, a recent clinical trial for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) using intravenous injection of FGF7 did not report the expected beneficial effects.
Pharmacologic therapies such as β2 agonists, statins, and keratinocyte growth factor, which targeted pathophysiologic alterations in ARDS, were not beneficial and demonstrated possible harm.
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) are key factors involved in alveolar epithelial repair, present in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with ALI/ARDS.