Clinical Trials Related to The Laboratory of Asthma and Lung Inflammation

Asthma is a lung condition that causes difficulty breathing and decreased lung function. Some people with asthma have more severe disease symptoms. They may be less responsive to standard treatments such as steroids. Researchers want to compare severe asthmatics with mild or moderate asthmatics or people without asthma over a long period. This information may help identify new treatments for people whose asthma is not well controlled by standard medications.

The goal of this study is to compare severe asthmatics with mild or moderate asthmatics, and healthy volunteers, to study the progression and outcomes of the disease.

For more information, contact the Office of Patient Recruitment.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves passing a pencil-thin tube into the lung in order to collect fluid and cells from the airways. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy can collect cells from the walls of airways by gently brushing them (bronchial brushing). In addition, squirting small amounts of sterile water into the airway and gently suctioning it back into the bronchoscope (bronchoalveolar lavage) collects cells.

In this study, researchers plan to perform these tests on patients with asthma and normal volunteers. This research may help to improve the understanding of the processes involved in airway inflammation and asthma.

For more information, contact the Office of Patient Recruitment.