Asthma is a common problem for women during pregnancy. There is concern about how asthma and its treatment may effect the baby, and also concern that asthma may deteriorate during pregnancy. Variable adherence to treatment compounds this situation. Current clinical measures are not very accurate in determining the correct dose of inhaled therapy to be used for asthma. However, there is now good evidence from clinical trials in nonpregnant adults and children that this situation can be improved b ....Asthma is a common problem for women during pregnancy. There is concern about how asthma and its treatment may effect the baby, and also concern that asthma may deteriorate during pregnancy. Variable adherence to treatment compounds this situation. Current clinical measures are not very accurate in determining the correct dose of inhaled therapy to be used for asthma. However, there is now good evidence from clinical trials in nonpregnant adults and children that this situation can be improved by using markers of inflammation to guide therapy. One of the promising tests of inflammation is exhaled nitric oxide. We wish to determine whether asthma can be better managed during pregnancy by using nitric oxide to guide therapy. We will examine whether this approach leads to fewer asthma exacerbations, lower doses of corticosteroid, better asthma control, and better outcomes for the baby. To do this we have put together a team with expertise across each of the important areas of asthma, pregnancy, and research methods. This will enable the study to provide a clear indication of which treatment approach is better, and this can then be offered to pregnant women and their health care team.Read moreRead less
Centre For Research Excellence In Pulmonary Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,498,607.00
Summary
The Centre for Research excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis (CRE-PF) aims to develop a sustainable nation-wide network, consisting of world recognized experts. The group will enable an integrative approach to solving PF through a layered strategy extending from molecules germane to disease pathogenesis, to human studies. With this approach the CRE-PF will set a new paradigm for synergy between academia, health care, health policy and the public, placing Australia at the forefront of innovation.
Prevention Of Asthma In Young Children Via Immunostimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,683.00
Summary
Persistent asthma is a major problem for Australia yet none of the current therapies do more that control the condition. The long-term solution is to prevent asthma from progressing to the persistent form. The major risk factors are: family history, early allergy and recurrent severe lower respiratory infections (sLRI) in the early life. We will conduct a randomized clinical trial to prevent sLRI using a novel bacterial-derived immunostimulant in infants at high risk of developing asthma.
Gabapentin In The Treatment Of Idiopathic Chronic Cough: A Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,229.00
Summary
Better treatment approaches are needed to address the significant quality of life impairment associated with chronic cough. We propose to conduct a double-blind, placebo controlled study comparing the efficacy (and safety) of oral gabapentin therapy on cough reflex severity and cough-specific quality of life in people with idiopathic cough. The advantages are a strong design, use of objective assessment techniques, and investigation of a new treatment modality for cough.
Multi-centre RDBC Trial Of Oxygen Vs Air For Relief Of Breathlessness In Terminally-ill Patients With Intractable Dyspno
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,701.00
Summary
This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects exp ....This study will compare the effects of oxygen and air in the relief of breathlessness in patients at the end of life who do not currently qualify for home oxygen. This landmark study will provide accurate information about any benefits that oxygen offers for breathlessness in this setting. This international multi-site study will ask 226 people to participate using either oxygen or air for 7 days while keeping a diary. We will measure breathlessness, quality of life, anxiety and side effects experienced.Read moreRead less
Effect Of Anti-IgE Antibody On Immune System Responses And Short-term Outcome In Acute Asthma In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,752.00
Summary
We plan to undertake a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of anti-IgE antibody given at the time of an acute attack of asthma in children aged 6-12 years. The idea for this arose from our own novel data – IgE levels increase with the most common infection causing acute asthma. Given evidence the virus uses IgE to cause inflammation, giving anti-IgE during the attack should reduce the severity of the attack and produce a new, effective treatment for acute asthma.
The AMAZES Study: Asthma And Macrolides: The AZithromycin Efficacy And Safety Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,157,566.00
Summary
Asthma is a health priority for Australia where better and new treatment approaches are needed. This project tests the benefit of a common antibiotic for use in asthma. We propose to conduct a large-scale, multicentre, double-blind, placebo controlled study comparing the efficacy (and safety) of the addition of oral low dose azithromycin to maintenance asthma therapy on the incidence of asthma exacerbations and clinical asthma status in participants with asthma.
Parent Initiated Oral Prednisolone For Acute Asthma In Children Aged 5-11 Years: Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$139,250.00
Summary
The objective of this trial is to determine whether parents should commence prednisolone (a steroid anti-inflammatory drug) for an asthma attack in their child without waiting to see a doctor first. This strategy could be described as parent initiated prednisolone in asthma (PIPA). PIPA is an important consideration in every child's asthma management plan, but because of a lack of research evidence the role of PIPA is not clarified in any of the international asthma guidelines. Hence prednisolon ....The objective of this trial is to determine whether parents should commence prednisolone (a steroid anti-inflammatory drug) for an asthma attack in their child without waiting to see a doctor first. This strategy could be described as parent initiated prednisolone in asthma (PIPA). PIPA is an important consideration in every child's asthma management plan, but because of a lack of research evidence the role of PIPA is not clarified in any of the international asthma guidelines. Hence prednisolone is rarely commenced without waiting for a preceding medical review. PIPA has the potential to significantly reduce the health and economic burden of the disease by increasing the proportion of asthma exacerbations managed at home rather than in the emergency department or hospital. Prednisolone has been shown to be an effective drug when it is given to children with an asthma attack that is severe enough for them to attend hospital. Whilst it would seem logical that PIPA should be an effective strategy it is important to recognise that mild attacks are far more common than severe ones, and the promotion of PIPA as standard practice would be associated with a significant increase in the frequency prednisolone administration. As such it is important to determine if prednisolone is safe and effective when commenced in the home setting. The PIPA trial has many unique features: It is community based, where the vast majority of asthmatic children are managed. The eligibility criteria and dosing schedule have been chosen to mimic 'real world' management and it will be easy for clinicians and families to interpret and apply the results. A very large number of children will be involved (308) which has been made feasible by the trial setting and recruitment methods. Furthermore the protocol has been designed in accordance with the highest standards specified by the international research community and has been submitted to 'The Lancet' for pre-trial publication.Read moreRead less
Conquering The Final Frontier In Lung Transplantation - Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy For Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,887,790.00
Summary
Lung transplantation remains the only treatment option for an increasing number of Australians with end-stage lung disease, however long-term outcomes are severely compromised by the almost universal development of chronic rejection. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise in treating rejection, and in a world-first we have recently demonstrated that this approach is safe. In another world-first, this randomized, controlled study will determine whether MSC therapy is effective.