Understanding Immune Cell Response in Asthma

Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byAndrew D Luster

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: N/A

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Andrew D. Luster, M.D.,Ph.D.

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?Determining how memory T helper type 2 (Th2) initiate recall responses to aeroallergens has the potential to change the therapeutic approach to allergic asthma, the most common asthma subtype. \~5-10% of effector Th2 cells recruited into the lung give rise to long-lived tissue resident memory cells that are poised to respond upon allergen re-exposure.Consequently, targeting memory Th2 cell activation is an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, it is not well understood how allergen inhalation initiates a memory Th2 cell response in the lung. The focus of this new study on the role of lung-resident memory Th2 cells in orchestrating the recall response to allergen in the lung, including the recruitment and activation of circulating Th2 cells, is a natural, timely and exciting extension of the investigators' ongoing Allergen Challenge Protocol.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-55 with allergic asthma, who've never smoked much (less than 5 pack-years and none in the past 5 years), have a certain level of lung function, react to indoor allergens like pet dander or dust mites, and are not pregnant or nursing. People can't join if they're on certain medications, have other lung diseases, severe allergies to specific drugs used in the study, recent infections or steroid use.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 55 years old.

I have smoked less than 5 packs of cigarettes in my life and none in the last 5 years.

Exclusion Criteria

I have been intubated due to severe asthma in the past.

I am not pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing, and I use contraception if sexually active.

I have diabetes, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke history, kidney failure, severe allergies, or liver cirrhosis.

I haven't used specific asthma or other condition treatments like Nucala, Cinqair, Fasenra, or Dupixent in the last 6 months.

I haven't smoked cigarettes in the last 5 years and have smoked less than 5 pack-years in total.

I do not have other lung conditions like sarcoidosis or active infections.

I have not used Xolair in the last 6 months.

I am currently taking beta-blockers or MAO inhibitors.

Treatment Details

The study investigates how memory Th2 cells in the lungs respond to common airborne allergens by performing bronchoscopy/BAL and airway brushing on participants. It aims to understand these cells' role in allergic reactions which could lead to new treatments for allergic asthma.

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Allergic Asthmatic or Healthy Control AdultsExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Allergic Asthmatic or Healthy Control Adults will undergo Bronchoscopy/BAL and airway brushing