Emphysema

Researchers are evaluating the effects of inhaled nitroglycerin on improving respiratory function in patients with late-stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), especially those experiencing respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. The study aims to investigate how this treatment may help by dilating pulmonary arteries to reduce ventilation/perfusion mismatch and improve antibiotic delivery to the lungs. This trial is sponsored by Beni-Suef University and includes patients admitted to adult intensive care units. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive the standard treatment for COPD exacerbation, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators. The other group will receive inhaled nitroglycerin in addition to the standard treatment. The study is designed as a phase 2 and phase 3 trial, with no blinding, and will monitor the effects over several days. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for changes in pulmonary function five days after starting the inhaled nitroglycerin. Researchers will also track the number of days on mechanical ventilation, the dose of vasopressor therapy, reduction in white blood cell count, and mortality rate up to ten days after treatment begins. The study aims to understand the treatment's impact on respiratory failure in COPD patients and will continue until December 2025.

Researchers are studying biomarkers from 129Xe gas exchange MRI to understand how they change with different medical interventions. The study focuses on interactions between 129Xe and red blood cells in the lungs. Participants include healthy volunteers and patients with conditions like interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, acute or chronic pulmonary embolism, anemia, polycythemia, and dyspnea. The study uses hyperpolarized xenon gas inhaled in multiple doses followed by breath holds, alongside oxygen administration. Participants are grouped by treatment: those undergoing transfusion or phlebotomy, patients receiving oxygen for lung-related conditions or healthy volunteers, and those recently diagnosed with acute or chronic pulmonary embolism. Treatments and responses are monitored at baseline and various follow-up points. Participants will undergo MRI scans to measure red blood cell transfer, chemical shifts after oxygen delivery, and changes in red blood cell signal oscillations before and after treatment. The study includes visits up to 3–6 months after interventions to track changes. Researchers also monitor safety and participant adherence throughout the study, which lasts until mid-2028.

Researchers are studying how blood flow to muscles is controlled and how this changes with age and certain diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sepsis, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The study focuses on four key pathways that affect blood vessel constriction and dilation: Angiotensin-II, Endothelin-1, Nitric Oxide, and oxidative stress. The goal is to better understand how these pathways contribute to reduced blood flow during exercise and whether these changes can be improved. Participants will receive various treatments including exercise tests and drugs that affect blood vessel function, such as Nitric Oxide blockers, antioxidants, receptor antagonists, and other vasoactive agents. These treatments will be given through catheter placements for measurements and infusions. Different groups include healthy young adults, older adults, and patients with conditions like COPD, pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart failure, and hypertension. The study will also evaluate effects before and after exercise training. During the study, participants will undergo tests such as maximum exercise capacity, measurements of blood flow, blood pressure, muscle metabolism, and muscle fatigue using advanced imaging techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Researchers will monitor changes in limb blood flow and other outcomes at baseline and one hour after treatments. The study aims to provide detailed insight into how vascular function changes with age and disease and how it responds to various interventions over time.

Researchers are investigating the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) on exercise capacity and safety in people with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study evaluates two doses of iNO, 10 parts per million (ppm) and 40 ppm, each administered for at least 2 hours daily over one week. This research aims to find safe and effective treatment methods for COPD, focusing on lung function and exercise performance. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: inhaled nitric oxide at 10 ppm, inhaled nitric oxide at 40 ppm, or a placebo treatment using air. Each treatment is inhaled for at least 2 hours per day for 7 consecutive days. The iNO is delivered through a specialized system that ensures a constant concentration during inhalation. The placebo group inhales air with 21% oxygen, mimicking the treatment process without active nitric oxide. During the study, participants undergo cardiopulmonary exercise tests measuring oxygen uptake, ventilation efficiency, and breathlessness scores at the start and end of the 7-day treatment period. Lung function tests, symptom questionnaires, a six-minute walk test, and safety monitoring for adverse events are also performed. The study tracks changes from baseline to day 7 to assess the impact of the treatments on exercise capacity and respiratory health.

Researchers are evaluating inhaled nitric oxide to understand its effects on exercise tolerance and safety in people with moderate-to-severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This study aims to help develop better treatment options for managing COPD symptoms and improving patient outcomes. The trial is sponsored by Novlead Inc. and does not involve a specific drug phase classification. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive inhaled nitric oxide at either 10 parts per million (ppm) or 40 ppm. Each participant will inhale the gas for at least 2 hours each day over a period of 7 consecutive days. The nitric oxide is delivered using a specialized device that controls the concentration of gas inhaled through the breathing apparatus. During the study, participants will be closely monitored with various tests and assessments. These include measuring changes in oxygen uptake, breathing efficiency, perceived exertion, lung function, walking distance, and COPD symptom scores, all recorded at the beginning and end of the 7-day treatment period. Safety and treatment effects will be assessed throughout, with the total participation lasting just over one week.

Researchers are evaluating the safety, tolerability, and how the body processes TQC3302 inhalation spray in healthy adults between 18 and 55 years old. This Phase 1 clinical study uses both a single-center, open-label design and a randomized three-sequence, three-period crossover design for different groups. The study focuses on measuring adverse events and drug levels in the body after single and multiple inhalations of TQC3302 and comparator inhalation sprays in healthy participants. Participants receive single doses or multiple doses of TQC3302 inhalation spray alone or combined with other inhaled drugs like Tiotropium bromide and olodaterol hydrochloride inhalation spray or Budesonide Powder for Inhalation. Different dosing schedules cover single doses during days 1 to 7 and two doses during this period. The study groups are randomized to receive these treatments in various sequences to compare safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. During the study, participants undergo detailed safety assessments including monitoring for side effects up to day 14 after dosing. Blood samples are collected at multiple time points to measure drug concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters like peak concentration, clearance, and half-life. The study also includes physical exams, lung function tests, laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and ultrasound evaluations during screening. The total participation spans from screening through follow-up visits up to 14 days after the last dose.

Researchers are studying whether treatment decision-making can be improved for smokers who have difficulty quitting with medications. This trial focuses on smokers seeking to quit and evaluates adaptive treatment strategies using FDA-approved options. The goal is to find the best approach for each person by adjusting the treatment based on early response to medications. The study is sponsored by the Medical University of South Carolina and is designed as a randomized clinical trial without masking. Participants will receive a free 12-week course of nicotine replacement therapies (patches and lozenges), varenicline, or e-cigarettes as harm reduction products. Initially, smokers are randomized to either varenicline or combination NRT for four weeks. Those showing early success continue the same medication, while non-responders may switch to the other medication or continue the same one, with further adjustments made at weeks 4 and 8. After 12 weeks, no more products are provided. All study visits and assessments are conducted remotely through phone calls and surveys. Participants will complete eight surveys over six months, including a follow-up survey six months after the initial call. Researchers will measure smoking cessation success and dependence outcomes, with primary outcomes assessed at 8 weeks and final outcomes at 24 weeks. The study allows for safety monitoring throughout and involves no in-person visits.

This research focuses on chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis (CF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), and interstitial lung diseases (ILD). These conditions involve inflammation and changes in lung structure with a wide range of symptoms and features. The study aims to analyze various characteristics including clinical, biological, and microbiological traits, as well as respiratory exposures and mechanisms related to airway inflammation, to better understand these diseases beyond their initial diagnosis. The study is a prospective cohort conducted at the University Hospital of Reims, France, including adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with the listed respiratory diseases or healthy volunteers as controls. Participants will be followed over a 10-year period with data collected at inclusion and follow-up visits, while controls will only provide data at inclusion. No specific treatments are given as part of the study; care continues as usual. Throughout the study, information such as demographics, disease history, lung function tests, CT scans, and respiratory sample analyses will be collected and stored in an anonymous database. Researchers will use statistical and machine learning methods to identify patient groups with similar disease patterns and predict disease progression and treatment responses. The study is planned to start in September 2025 with a recruitment period lasting five years and follow-up for a decade thereafter.

Researchers are evaluating a digital health intervention using a mobile application called "Pust Deg Bedre" (PDB) to support self-management in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD patients often experience symptoms like dyspnea, cough, and chronic mucus hypersecretion, which increase infection risks and exacerbate the disease. This study aims to explore the feasibility, patient and physiotherapist experiences, and implementation of the PDB app in managing these symptoms. The intervention involves physiotherapists providing patients with training on how to use the PDB app, which offers tailored breathing and airway clearance techniques based on clinical assessment. Patients will engage with the app's treatment plan over an 8-week period, with follow-up at 6 months. Adjustments to the treatment plan may be made during the intervention. The study includes qualitative interviews and video-recorded physiotherapy sessions to gain deeper insights into the interactions and experiences of patients and physiotherapists. Participants will be assessed through questionnaires and interviews at the end of the 8-week treatment and at the 6-month follow-up. Researchers will collect both quantitative and qualitative data, including health-related outcomes, adherence, adverse events, and patient satisfaction. Physiotherapists will also be followed up to explore the impact of participation on their clinical practice. The total study duration includes the initial intervention and a long-term follow-up, aiming to gather comprehensive information on the app's usefulness and acceptability.

Researchers are evaluating a new therapy called the Implantable Artificial Bronchus (IAB) for adults with severe COPD or emphysema. This open-label, multicenter trial involves up to twelve sites in the United States and three sites in the Netherlands, Germany, and Brazil. The study aims to assess how well the IAB works and its safety in adults suffering from this lung condition. There is no control group in this study, focusing solely on those receiving the treatment. Participants will receive up to 10 polymer-based airway stents called Implantable Artificial Bronchi, which are placed permanently into diseased lung lobes through a bronchoscopic procedure using a special delivery system. The treatment is given in one study group where all subjects receive the IAB device. The therapy is designed to support lung function by targeting damaged areas in the lungs affected by emphysema. During the study, participants will be monitored through various assessments including pulmonary function tests, exercise tolerance, and questionnaires measuring breathlessness. Researchers will track changes in lung volume and other lung function measures 90 days after the last implant. Safety will be evaluated by recording any adverse effects related to the device. The total study duration and detailed follow-up procedures are designed to thoroughly understand the treatment's impact on lung health.