What is this research study?
We now know that all asthma is not alike. The Immune Mechanisms in Severe Asthma (IMSA) research study hopes to better understand how different inflammation types, as found in the lungs of people with asthma, influence the type of disease a patient has, including how bad it is, and how it responds to treatments. This research study will look in the lungs of people to identify cells and molecules (proteins, fats) that are present in different types of asthma. This research study will help us to better identify and understand why some patients with bad/severe asthma respond poorly to usual asthma treatments.
Who can participate?
- Ages 18 to 65
- Have a diagnosis of asthma or be a healthy person with no asthma
- Never smoker/vaper or minimal smoking/vaping in the past
- No other lung disease
What can I expect in the study?
- An initial study visit (approximately 2-3 hours) to determine if you are eligible and to collect your medical and asthma-focused history. At this visit you can expect to:
- Review and sign consent to participate
- Answer questions about your asthma
- Undergo breathing tests
- You will return for a 2nd visit (approximately 90 minutes) at which we will collect sputum/phlegm from your lungs
- At your 3rd visit (approximately 5-6 hours), you would undergo a bronchoscopy, a procedure where a small tube with a camera is placed in your lungs to take samples (this will be done with medication to make you drowsy)
- You will answer questions about your asthma every 2 months over the phone
- One follow-up visit without a bronchoscopy will take place 1 year later
What do we hope to learn from this study?
- Improve our understanding of how different cells and molecules affect asthma and its different types, including why some people have more asthma flares/attacks than others
- Better understand how certain asthma drugs affect lungs and how the effects may be different in different people
- Identify cells or molecules to target for drug development, which are related to the type of asthma a patient has