Asthma Paid Clinical Trials in California

The purpose of this study is to examine the mechanisms of asthma. The investigators are comparing the cells of individuals with and without asthma and looking at the roles various parts of the cell play in the production and secretion of mucus. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the site and mechanisms responsible for expiratory airflow limitation in chronic, treated, non-smoking, stable asthmatics with moderate to severe persistent expiratory airflow obstruction. Treatment will include inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta2agonists and long acting muscarinic antagonists. We are interested in determining whether the large and/or small airways are the predominant site of airflow limitation. We are also interested in determining whether intrinsic small airways obstruction and/or loss of lung elastic recoil is responsible for expiratory airflow limitation and to what extent may be attributed to loss of lung elastic recoil vs decreased airway conductance in peripheral airways. We are also interested to evaluate the role of varying doses of inhaled corticosteroids to suppress large and small airway inflammation using exhaled nitric oxide as surrogate markers of inflammation. For comparison purposes, spirometry and measurements of exhaled nitric oxide will also be obtained if possible during a naturally occurring exacerbation of asthma. High resolution thin section CT of the lung will also be obtained. Analysis will evaluate integrity of the lung parenchyma as to absence and or presence of emphysema and extent of emphysema using voxel quantification. We will also investigate optical coherence tomography to detect clinically unsuspected emphysema. We will also obtain autopsy material when available in asthmatics who expire. Will also measure serum periostin as a marker of inflammation by collaborating with Genetech in San Francisco. Read Less

The purpose of this cross-sectional, observational study is to evaluate the site and mechanism(s) for expiratory airflow limitation in chronic, treated, current or former smokers (\>15 pack years) with COPD, Emphysema, and Asthma-COPD Overlap with mild to severe expiratory airflow limitation. Treatment may include short and long acting inhaled beta2agonists, short and long acting inhaled muscarinic receptor antagonists, inhaled and or oral corticosteroid, oral antibiotic, supplemental oxygen, and PDE type 4 inhibitor. In some cases, the patient may have had a history of asthma preceding the development of COPD (Asthma COPD Overlap). Read Less

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the site and mechanisms responsible for expiratory airflow limitation in chronic, treated, non-smoking, stable asthmatics with moderate to severe persistent expiratory airflow obstruction. Treatment will include inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta2agonists. The investigators are interested in determining whether the large and/or small airways are the predominant site of airflow limitation. The investigators are also interested in determining whether intrinsic small airways obstruction and/or loss of lung elastic recoil is responsible for expiratory airflow limitation. The investigators are also interested to evaluate the role of varying doses of inhaled corticosteroids to suppress large and small airway inflammation using exhaled nitric oxide as surrogate markers of inflammation. For comparison purposes, spirometry and measurements of exhaled nitric oxide will also be obtained if possible during a naturally occurring exacerbation of asthma. Read Less