TRIPHIC project - Renewal
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
253767
Contact name
Martin R Wilkins
Contact email
Research summary
Translational Research in Pulmonary Hypertension at Imperial College (TRIPHIC)
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0086
Date of REC Opinion
1 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
We commissioned the TRIPHIC (Translational Research In Pulmonary Hypertension at Imperial College) project to enable access to diverse patient information for research purposes, while also ensuring data security and patient confidentiality. The database provides a secure ‘new safe haven’ for patient information that robustly separates the clinical and research domains, linking together data from multiple established clinical sources and rigorously coding (pseudonymising) the information before it is made available for research. In addition to demographic information, the database records the nature and duration of the pulmonary vascular disease and associated clinical information, including details about drug therapy, WHO functional class, haemodynamic data obtained during cardiac catheterization, six minute walk distance, cardiopulmonary exercise and lung function data, imaging data, quality of life scores, clinical activity and survival. The linking of diverse clinical information in chronological order permits researchers to undertake longitudinal studies examining the natural history of pulmonary hypertension, the responses to therapy and survival. TRIPHIC also enables the management of biological samples donated by patients and the secure transfer of coded data and samples to our collaborators in the public (e.g. University or NHS departments) and private sector (e.g. Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies), both in the UK and abroad.
Research programme
Pulmonary hypertension is a debilitating and life threatening pulmonary vascular disorder with high morbidity and poor prognosis. It is associated with a variety of clinical conditions and, whatever the origin, has a detrimental impact on patient’s symptoms and life expectancy. A major objective of the TRIPHIC (Translational Research In Pulmonary Hypertension at Imperial College) project is to carry out comprehensive molecular characterisation and genetic analysis of patients with pulmonary hypertension. We are using genomic information (sequencing and analysis of DNA) as well as other so-called ‘omic’ data, electronic clinical information in the TRIPHIC database and machine learning techniques to identify circulating molecular markers (e.g. proteins and metabolites) in a readily accessible ‘liquid biopsy’. When combined, these signals generate molecular signatures that distinguish specific subgroups of patients, reflect disease severity, identify individuals responding to therapeutic interventions, and predict clinical outcome. The ultimate goal of TRIPHIC-based research is the molecular reclassification of pulmonary vascular disease and introduction of precision (personalised) medicine that will predict individual patient risk, more accurately and precisely identify which patients will benefit most from specific therapies, identify new drug targets and significantly improve the management of pulmonary hypertension. Lay summary of study results: Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the vessels that carry blood to the lungs and oxygen. It is a condition that can accompany a number of other medical conditions, or it can present on its own. Over time, patients living with this condition (pulmonary hypertension) have their right side of the heart being under increased workload, and this can lead to breathlessness, swelling (because of fluids being retained), and even early death from heart failure. The purpose of this study (Translational Research in Pulmonary Hypertension at Imperial College, TRIPHIC) has been to collect in one place the clinical information of patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension and link this information to results of blood tests taken from those patients for research. The goal is to see if we can better understand the underlying causes of pulmonary hypertension. By studying and comparing the components of blood – proteins, genes, and other circulating factors which are called in scientific language "metabolites" – we have tried to find causes of pulmonary hypertension that might be amenable to drug treatment. We have also tried to identify ways of monitoring response to treatment (based on blood tests) that will improve the care of patients with the condition. In collaboration with other specialist centres in the UK and internationally, we have been successful in identifying genes which play a role in the development of pulmonary hypertension and we have found new blood tests that could be useful in predicting how well patients are doing. These results have been shared with the public. Results have been well received at conferences and reputable scientific journals. The results have led to further funding to support ongoing efforts to research, to see if we can translate the results into clinical practice.
Research database title
Translational Research in Pulmonary Hypertension at Imperial College (TRIPHIC)
Establishment organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Establishment organisation address
The Bays
St. Mary’s Hospital
South Wharf Road, London
W2 1NY