Behr J, Prasse A, Kreuter M, et al. - Researchers undertook this multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel phase 2b trial (RELIEF) to evaluate the efficacy as well as the safety of pirfenidone in patients with four non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Patients aged 18–80 years suffering from progressive fibrotic ILD because of four diagnoses: collagen or vascular diseases (ie, connective tissue disease-associated ILDs), fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or asbestos-induced lung fibrosis, were eligible for inclusion. Other eligibility criteria were also applied. Randomly, patients were allocated (1:1) to receive either oral pirfenidone or matched placebo, added to their ongoing medication. Findings indicate that attenuation of disease progression, as measured by reduction in forced vital capacity, might be achieved with the addition of pirfenidone to existing treatment in patients with fibrotic ILDs other than IPF who deteriorate despite conventional therapy. However, exercising care when interpreting findings is advised due to the premature study termination.