EVOC4M

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compound signatures as a predictive and therapeutic response biomarker for Mepolizumab therapy in severe eosinophilic asthma

  • IRAS ID

    286261

  • Contact name

    Hitasha Rupani

  • Contact email

    h.rupani@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 6 days

  • Research summary

    In patients with severe asthma identified to be “eosinophilic” on their blood tests, Mepolizumab (Nucala) successfully reduces the number of exacerbations they suffer from per year. As such, Mepolizumab has been licensed for use by severe asthma centres in the UK. However, around a third of patients, despite being eosinophilic on their blood tests, do not respond to Mepolizumab.
    This study will recruit patients who are being prescribed Mepolizumab as part of their normal care. During their hospital visits, we will collect data and research samples to identify biomarkers that will discriminate between those that respond well to Mepolizumab (“responders”) and which do not (“non-responders”).
    This will allow us to better understand how Mepolizumab works, why it doesn’t work in certain patients and better identify these patients from the start.

  • REC name

    London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/PR/0699

  • Date of REC Opinion

    20 Jun 2021

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion