Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Our research group at the University of Oxford has developed a new type of analyser that very accurately measures the flow of different gases breathed into and out of the lungs. We have also developed a mathematical approach to analysing these data that identifies unevenness (or heterogeneity) of lung function. We believe that these new measurements of heterogeneity may provide important information about lung function that will be useful for the management of patients.
As such, an important aim of the study is to evaluate whether the measures of lung heterogeneity change in response to standard therapy and how they change in comparison to standard clinical markers of airways disease. Another important aim is to determine whether measurements of inhomogeneity can predict response to treatment.
What does the study involve?
In this observational study, we will undertake measurements of lung heterogeneity in up to 100 adult patients with airways diseases at baseline and at various time points along their standard clinical care pathways. The measurements are made during a 15-minute test during which the patient breathes normally through a mouthpiece, with their nose occluded by a nose clip. Each patient will breathe normal air for the first 8-10 min and then 100% oxygen for the final 5 min. These tests will be undertaken at baseline, and before/after therapeutic interventions including inhaled salbutamol, inhaled and/or oral corticosteroids, and/or 'biological' antibody-based therapy. Each patient will be studied for no longer than two years in total.
Who can participate?
Adult patients with airways diseases looked after at Oxford University Hospitals can participate in the study.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
We do not expect participants in this research to benefit directly from their participation, but we hope that the results of the study will benefit patients in the future. We do not expect the gas mixtures breathed during this study to have any adverse health effects, and most patients studied so far have found the tests relatively easy to perform.
Where is the study run from?
The study is running at the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study is starting in March 2019 and is expected to run for 2 years, until the required number of participants are recruited.
Who is funding the study?
The overarching project and the development of the study gas analyser is being funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. The particular study of inhomogeneity in lung function before and after therapy is being funded by GlaxoSmithKline UK Limited.
Who is the main contact?
Professor Peter Robbins
peter.robbins@dpag.ox.ac.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Prof Peter Robbins
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4975-0609
Contact details
Department of Physiology
Anatomy & Genetics
Sherrington Building
University of Oxford
Oxford
Oxford
OX1 3PT
United Kingdom
01865 272500
peter.robbins@dpag.ox.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
PID12157
Study information
Scientific title
How are non-invasive measures of lung inhomogeneity affected during treatment of airways disease?
Acronym
Study hypothesis
We have developed a method for measuring unevenness of lung function (lung heterogeneity) that provides very sensitive markers of lung physiology. We hypothesise that these markers of lung heterogeneity will change in response to treatment in patients with airways diseases, and may predict therapeutic response.
Ethics approval
Approved 17/05/2017, the South Central Oxford A Research Ethics Committee (Bristol Research Ethics Committee Centre, Whitefriars, Level 3 Block B, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT; 0207 1048045; nrescommittee.southcentral-oxforda@nhs.net), ref: 17/SC/0172.
Study design
Observational longitudinal study
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Longitudinal study
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Other
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Condition
Airways disease.
Intervention
This is an observational study in which indices of lung heterogeneity are measured in patients with airways disease. Patients will be studied at baseline and on further occasions over a two year period, according to their clinical pathway. Measurements will be made before and after clinical interventions (performed as part of clinical care) that might include salbutamol, inhaled or systemic corticosteroids and/or biological therapies.
Participants give written consent for the study. Each study visit coincides with a clinical visit (along the patient’s clinical pathway).
A “Lung Heterogeneity test” is undertaken which involves breathing on a mouthpiece with the nose occluded for up to 20 minutes. During the test the inspired gas varies from breathing normal air to breathing gas enriched with oxygen (up to 100%), carbon dioxide (up to 8%) and/or trace amounts of acetylene, methane or carbon monoxide (<1%). Up to 4 tests can be performed on a single visit, and these may be performed before and after intervention (e.g. salbutamol inhalation). The composition of inspired and expired gas is analysed continuously using a novel in-airway gas analyser, and collected data are subsequently analysed using a mathematical model of gas exchange.
Participants also undertake additional clinical diagnostic tests of airways function, e.g. spirometry testing, measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), induced sputum analysis, blood tests (FBC) and asthma control questionnaire scores (ACQ5).
Participants will be followed up to two years, with multiple visits (as described above) along their clinical pathway.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Change in lung heterogeneity indices following treatment (pre-treatment baseline, and then 1 week, 5 weeks and/or 3 months post-treatment, depending on the treatment given). The indices are measured during the lung heterogeneity test: σCL:VA (standard deviation of the compliance:volume distribution), σVD:VA (standard deviation of the deadspace:volume distribution) and VDtot/VAtot (ratio of total deadspace to total alveolar volume).
Secondary outcome measures
1. Correlation between baseline lung heterogeneity indices and other clinical markers of disease e.g. FeNO, blood eosinophil count, sputum eosinophil count, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and ACQ5 score.
2. Correlation between changes in lung heteroegeneity indices and changes in other clinical markers of disease measured using FeNO, blood eosinophil count, sputum eosinophil count, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and ACQ5 score before and after treatment (1 week, 5 weeks and 3 months).
Overall trial start date
02/02/2017
Overall trial end date
01/12/2022
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Aged over 18 years
2. Diagnosis of airways disease
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
100
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Inability to tolerate mouthpiece/nose-clip
2. Pregnancy
Recruitment start date
23/05/2019
Recruitment end date
01/11/2022
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
University of Oxford
Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics
Sherrington Building
Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3PT
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
John Radcliffe Hospital
Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Oxford
Sponsor details
Clinical Trials & Research Governance
Joint Research Office
Boundary Brook House
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7GB
United Kingdom
+44 1865 289885
ctrg@admin.ox.ac.uk
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
GlaxoSmithKline
Alternative name(s)
GlaxoSmithKline plc., GSK
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
For-profit companies (industry)
Location
United Kingdom
Funder name
NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
We intend to present the results of this study at academic conferences, and to submit reports of the study outcome for peer-reviewed publication in scientific journals.
IPD sharing statement: the data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.
Intention to publish date
01/04/2023
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list