Bronchiectasis is permanent widening of the airways in the lungs, usually from repeated infections or inflammation. It affects about 350,000 to 500,000 people in the United States. Treatment focuses on airway clearance, managing infections with antibiotics, and addressing the underlying cause when one can be identified.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing inhaled antibiotics to prevent infections, anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce airway damage, and mucolytics to help clear mucus. Researchers are also studying macrolide antibiotics for their anti-inflammatory effects, devices that help with airway clearance, and treatments targeting specific bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa that commonly infect damaged airways.
Inhaled antibiotics
Several inhaled antibiotics are being tested to prevent infections in people with bronchiectasis. The goal is to reduce how often antibiotics need to be taken by mouth or through an IV.
Macrolide therapy
Low-dose azithromycin and other macrolides appear to reduce infections through anti-inflammatory effects beyond killing bacteria. Studies are determining which patients benefit most and how long to continue treatment.
Mucolytic agents
Drugs that thin mucus may help people clear their airways more effectively. Trials are testing whether this translates to fewer infections and better lung function over time.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on how many infections you've had in the past year, what bacteria are found in your sputum, and whether you have specific underlying causes like cystic fibrosis or immune deficiency.
What types of trials are currently open
- Antibiotic trials — Testing inhaled antibiotics, often taken several times weekly, to prevent infections and reduce symptoms in people with frequent exacerbations.
- Anti-inflammatory trials — Testing macrolide antibiotics and other anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce airway inflammation and prevent damage.
- Mucolytic trials — Testing drugs that thin mucus to make airway clearance easier and reduce infection risk.
- Device trials — Testing airway clearance devices and techniques to help people clear mucus more effectively at home.
- Natural history studies — Following people with bronchiectasis to understand how the disease progresses and what factors predict worse outcomes.
Recently added Bronchiectasis trials
A Phase 1a/1b Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Microbiological Response, and Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled Rev-56 in Adult Healthy Volunteers and Adult Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFB) Patients With Chronic P. Aeruginosa
This is a Phase 1a/1b study to test the safety, tolerability, microbiological response, and pharmacokinetics of inhaled Rev-56 compared to placebo in adult healthy participants and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients with P. aeruginosa, respectively. Phase 1a (Part A) will evaluate single doses of inhaled Rev-56 in adult healthy participants and includes up to 5 cohorts. Eligible participants will be randomized to active treatment or placebo in a 3:1 randomization scheme. Phase 1b (Part B) will evaluate the safety, tolerability, microbiological response, and pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of inhaled Rev-56 in NCFB patients with P. aeruginosa and includes 2 cohorts evaluating once daily dosing and twice daily dosing, respectively. Eligible participants will be randomized to active treatment or placebo in a 2:1 randomization scheme.
First in Human Trial of CTX-187 in Healthy Volunteers and Chronically Infected Patients
The primary objective of this trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of single and multiple ascending intravenously (IV) infused doses of CTX-187 when administered to healthy adult male and female participants and participants with a bacterial infection (bronchiectasis participants chronically infected with P. aeruginosa).
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