Biomarkers associated with known phenotypes across asthma severities.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploratory, prospective, non-interventional study comparing biomarker signatures between patients with asthma and healthy volunteers and to investigate biomarkers associated with known phenotypes across asthma severities.
IRAS ID
171964
Contact name
Chris Brightling
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 11 days
Research summary
In this study, we will collect sputum, blood, and urine samples from healthy volunteers and asthmatics 1 month apart. We will look at the cells, and measure indicators of inflammation in the sputum, blood and urine. We intend to link information gathered from these samples with the health status of the subjects.
Previous studies indicate that the type and number of cells in sputum from subjects with asthma indicate whether they will respond well to treatment for asthma or not. It is not clear however, whether there are clear differences in the sputum (and blood and/or urine) from subjects with varying severity of asthma, especially those with severe asthma who are prone to recurrent asthma attacks. The indicators which describe that there are differences between different patient groups and disease severity are referred to as biomarkers.
Subjects will be screened at baseline to determine their eligibility for the study, and which group they fall into – healthy volunteers, mild asthmatics, moderate asthmatics, and severe asthmatics. These groups will be based on lung function, current treatment, number of recent asthma attacks, breath tests, current symptoms, and airway irritability.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0111
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion