Six university research groups are receiving financial support from the Alphonse and Jean Forton Fund and the Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association to conduct research into cystic fibrosis. They are investigating how this rare disease arises, and how the severe problems faced by patients develop and/or can be treated. The Forton Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Association together are earmarking nearly €1.4 million for this good cause.
In cystic fibrosis patients, thick mucus, in which bacteria thrive, makes breathing and digestion more difficult. People with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience recurrent respiratory infections that irreversibly decrease their lung capacity, as well as abdominal pain during digestion and often also liver disease or diabetes. CF remains an incurable condition, with most patients requiring several hours' treatment each day in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms and to prevent the condition of their lungs from further declining, along with taking a variety of medicines.
Although classified as a rare disease, there are more than 1300 known CF patients nationwide. This means that a child with cystic fibrosis is born in Belgium every 10 days.
Over the past 20 years, research groups across the country have built up a strong reputation for their research into the causes (genetic or otherwise) of CF, the course of the disease and potential treatments. This has gradually led to the emergence of a few clusters of researchers specialising in this area – a development warmly welcomed by the Forton Fund and the Cystic Fibrosis Association.
Funding six projects at Belgian research centres, selected by an independent jury assisted by international experts and patients, should help to build on this work. Some of the chosen projects focus on the genetic mutations that cause cystic fibrosis as well as possible interventions. Others concentrate on characterizing and treating the bacteria and fungi present in the lungs of CF patients or on gaining a better understanding of how obstructions develop in the lungs and how lung capacity is lost. One study enhances our knowledge of CF-associated liver disease (CFLD), affecting up to 50% of CF patients.
In annex you will find a brief description of each study, along with the research teams' contact details.
About the sponsors
This is the second time that the Forton Fund and the Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association join forces for a joint funding of projects.
The Alphonse and Jean Forton Fund was created more than 20 years ago to support research into cystic fibrosis and related diseases. Over the years, this philanthropic fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, has provided over €9 million in funding to research projects.
The Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association is the patient organisation of and for people with cystic fibrosis and their families in Belgium. The association, founded in 1966, initiates activities aimed at empowering patients and their families or improving their quality of life and awards grants to innovative research projects.