Pharmacological inhibition of RAD51 shifted the profibrotic phenotype towards a fibrosis-resolving state in human and mouse PCLS, and in a bleomycin-induced mouse model of lung fibrosis.<h4>Interpretation</h4>The inhibition of RAD51 exerts therapeutic benefits in lung fibrosis by promoting apoptosis. The gene discussed is RAD51; the disease is pulmonary fibrosis.