CLRs in Invasive Aspergillosis

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Pilot study to evaluate whether polymorphisms in C-type lectin-like receptors can determine the risk of AML or SCT patients developing aspergillosis

  • IRAS ID

    151136

  • Contact name

    Selinda Orr

  • Contact email

    orrs@cardiff.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Cardiff University Research and Innovation Services

  • Research summary

    Invasive fungal diseases are a major risk for patients with impaired immune responses, particularly in patients with haematological malignancy. However, widespread use of anti-fungal prophylaxis promotes resistance to therapeutics and can lead to infections that are more difficult to treat. The aim of this pilot study is to see whether there are genetic markers which can be identified in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or stem cell transplant (SCT) patients which may increase the risk of developing invasive aspergillosis. By identifying patients with increased risk of developing invasive aspergillosis future strategies could be developed for the targeted delivery of prophylaxis to 'high-risk' patient groups, thereby limiting the potential for the development of resistant strains of fungal pathogens. No medicines will be given as part of this study - any medicines that patients receive, would be given to patients whether they are part of this study or not. Patients who have been recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia or who are undergoing their first stem cell transplantation are eligible for this study. This study will collect clinical data to document patients' clinical course in order to identify possible complications (which would already be documented during routine clinical care). A 20ml blood sample (equivalent to 4 teaspoons) will be taken by study personnel/ nurses on admission (AML and SCT patients) to the haematology unit. For SCT patients only, a second blood sample of 4.5ml will be taken at a later time, determined by the patients' doctors, following stem cell transplant treatment. The blood samples will be taken to the Investigator’s laboratory at Heath Park to investigate the association of genetic risk factors with the possible development of Invasive Aspergillosis.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 6

  • REC reference

    14/WA/1119

  • Date of REC Opinion

    23 Sep 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion