Active clinical trials for "Pulmonary Emphysema"

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether analysis of genes in sputum is a useful noninvasive technique for measuring response to drugs in patients with COPD. We propose to use polymerase chain reaction to evaluate gene expression in induced sputum from adult current smokers with moderate COPD, adult former smokers with moderate COPD. This study is designed to determine whether changes in expression of previously-identified inflammatory markers in induced sputum can be detected in response to drug therapy in COPD and to evaluate potential differences in the expression of these markers in adult smokers with and without COPD. Pre- and post-treatment serum will be obtained to facilitate proteomic analysis of therapeutic response as well. Changes in sputum gene expression in response to treatment will be the primary outcome variable in this study. Secondary outcomes will include changes in lung function, as well as changes in induced sputum inflammation. These endpoints will be evaluated before and directly after 6 weeks of randomly-assigned treatment with either salmeterol xinafoate or fluticasone propionate/50mcg salmeterol xinafoate combination DPI bid. Endpoints will be re-evaluated following a 4 week wash-out period.

Patients with advanced heterogeneous emphysema due to alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency might benefit from endoscopic implantation of intrabronchial valves.

There is a growing population of end-stage COPD patients for whom surgical treatments like lung transplantation and lung volume reduction surgery are not possible. In such patients, size mismatch between large emphysematous lungs and a restricted chest wall is a major cause for the reduction of dynamic lung volumes and consequent dyspnea. We hypothesized that enlargement of the thorax would be a potential alternative strategy to volume reduction surgery as it may improve lung mechanics by resizing the chest to the lung and does not further deprive patients from lung tissue which is already scarce.

Hyperinflation Assessment After Treatment by Lung Volume Reduction Coil (HEAT-LVRC) on Hyperinflation in Severe Emphysema

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of administering repeated doses of Hyaluronic Acid Inhalation Solution to subjects with Emphysema that have Alpha-1-Antitrypsin deficiency

This study is a Prospective, single arm, single center pilot study following outcomes for 12 months after initial BTVA treatment. The primary objectives of the study are to prospectively document the safety and efficacy of sequential segmental treatment with BTVA in patients with a homogeneous distribution of emphysema that are not candidates for endobronchial valve therapy.

The combined use of one-way endobronchial valves and bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells in patients with severe pulmonary emphysema is safe and will contribute to increase quality of life.

To assess efficacy of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in Korean emphysema patients

This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study being conducted in China to evaluate improvement of lung function after treatment with the Spiration Valve System as compared to medical management in the control group. The control group will be evaluated in the same manner as the treatment group. The Spiration Valve is a small, umbrella-shaped, one-way valve that is placed inside the airways of one lung. It is used to redirect air from the less healthy to the more healthy parts of the lung. This helps to reduce over-inflation and may improve overall lung function and quality of life for people living with emphysema.

In the context of improved survival from HIV infection itself, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); a form of lung disease that includes emphysema, which makes breathing difficult) is emerging as an important cause of morbidity and perhaps ultimately mortality in this population. HIV-infected patients are at increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, likely due to multiple factors, including an increased presence of smoking, chronic inflammation and progression of immunodeficiency, oxidant stress (excessive levels of natural chemicals called oxidants and free radicals that can damage tissue), and respiratory infections. While natural history data on COPD are limited in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy, earlier data suggest that the course of emphysema may be accelerated in this population. Our preliminary data suggest that several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) derived from alveolar macrophages (a type of immune cell found in the lungs) have an increased cellular response in HIV-infected smokers, which could contribute to accelerated emphysema. Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes that break down the structural support of tissues, including the airways in the lung. Based on these observations, the investigators hypothesize that pharmacologic inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by doxycycline will favorably modify the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in HIV-infected patients. To test this hypothesis, the investigators propose conducting a proof of concept pilot study as a prelude to a possible phase II randomized, placebo-controlled trial (testing safety and efficacy in a larger population controlled with a "sugar pill") of doxycycline for COPD in HIV-infected patients should the proof of concept be successful. Our research team is lead by a pulmonologist/researcher with expertise in HIV-associated COPD and an infectious diseases specialist/clinical trials expert.