If you’re interested in participating in one of our research studies, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and someone will be in contact with you.
ANDHI – seeking severe asthmatics
Severe asthma, which affects approximately 5%-10% of asthmatics, can be difficult to treat. The purpose of this research study is to help find out if an investigational drug called benralizumab is a safe and effective treatment for people with severe asthma. Benralizumab is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody that works with the body’s immune system to destroy blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils play a role in inflammation and contribute to asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Researchers hope their findings will lead to better treatments for people with severe asthma.
See full ANDHI summary and criteria here.
GSK – seeking severe asthmatics
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Many people with severe asthma experience frequent asthma flare-ups even after taking currently available therapies like inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug called GSK3772847 as your doctor gradually reduces the dose of your asthma inhalers. GSK3772847 is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody that works with the body’s immune system to block a protein involved in asthma severity and inflammation of the lungs.
See full GSK summary and criteria here.
IMSA – seeking mild, moderate, and severe asthmatics; seeking healthy participants
Severe asthma, which affects approximately 5%-10% of asthmatics, is poorly understood and difficult to treat. Researchers think that people with severe asthma may have differences in their lungs and blood, when compared to people with milder forms of asthma or no asthma. The purpose of this study is to look at these differences and find out if how they are related to outcomes over one year.
See full IMSA summary and criteria here.
NICLA – seeking moderate asthmatics
People who are overweight and have asthma often experience more severe asthma symptoms and find that their condition is harder to treat. Researchers think that overweight individuals may have a different type of asthma that does not respond as well to commonly prescribed medications. In addition, there is a condition called Metabolic Syndrome (a group of factors occurring together that include high blood pressure, increased blood sugar and elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels) that may impact asthma and other health problems.
The purpose of this study is to understand how higher body weight and metabolic syndrome impact asthma. These compounds are also being evaluated as an affordable treatment that may improve the health of people with both conditions.
See full NICLA summary and criteria here.
Novartis – seeking severe asthmatics
Severe asthma, which affects approximately 5%-10% of asthmatics, is difficult to treat. The purpose of this study is to see if adding the investigational study drug QAW039 to your usual asthma medicines can reduce the number of asthma attacks you have, make asthma symptoms better, and improve your quality of life. Researchers also want to find out if you have any side effects when you are taking the study drug.
QAW039 is an investigational drug which has not been approved for sale in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of people with asthma. QAW039 has been tested in studies with healthy people who do not have disease and in people with a variety of different diseases.
QAW039 works by blocking a receptor called CRTh2. When this receptor is blocked, blood cells (such as eosinophils) that cause inflammation are prevented from moving into the lungs. If blood cells such as eosinophils move to your lungs and cause inflammation, your airway can become more narrow or restricted, and asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath can occur.
See full Novartis summary and criteria here.
SIESTA – seeking moderate and severe asthmatics
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes swelling and inflammation of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Many people who have asthma also have insomnia (trouble sleeping). Research has shown that insomnia can worsen a person’s asthma and increase the risk of having an asthma attack. The purpose of this study is to help researchers find out if an online behavioral treatment for insomnia can help improve sleep and asthma control in adults with asthma and sleep problems.
See full SIESTA summary and criteria here.
More Studies Coming Soon!
Research study summaries courtesy of Pitt+Me. For more information about Pitt+Me and to find other University of Pittsburgh research studies, visit their website here.