Extreme phenotypes in COPD study (EPIC study)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Studying genes and lung inflammation to understand individual susceptibility to tobacco smoke- extreme phenotypes in COPD (EPIC study)
IRAS ID
222022
Contact name
Colin Palmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee/NHS Tayside
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to understand differences in susceptibility to the development and progression of COPD by studying genetic and inflammatory factors that affect susceptibility to cigarette smoke.
It is well recognised that patients that have smoked a similar number of cigarettes can have markedly different levels of lung damage. Some patients develop severe COPD despite having smoked relatively few cigarettes, while some individuals can smoke a pack a day for more than 30 years and not develop COPD.
Understanding how some patients lungs appear more resistant, while others are more suceptible to cigarette smoke can help to find new treatments for COPD.
In this project we will use whole genome sequencing and extensive testing of the blood and lungs of patients with severe early onset COPD, and compare them to smokers who have not developed COPD in order to identify targets for the future treatment of COPD.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1961
Date of REC Opinion
17 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion