Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects about 16 million diagnosed Americans and causes progressive airflow limitation that makes breathing harder over time. Treatment centers on bronchodilators and inhaled steroids to ease symptoms and reduce flare-ups, with oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation for advanced disease.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing anti-inflammatory drugs that target specific immune pathways, inhaled therapies that may slow lung function decline, biologics for people with frequent flare-ups, and regenerative approaches. Researchers are also studying earlier detection methods and treatments for emphysema that go beyond symptom management.
Targeted anti-inflammatory drugs
Studies are testing drugs that block specific inflammation pathways in the lungs, including phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors and therapies targeting interleukin pathways. These may reduce flare-ups in people who still struggle despite standard inhalers.
Biologics for severe COPD
Monoclonal antibodies, similar to those used in asthma, are being tested for people with COPD who have high eosinophil counts and frequent exacerbations. Early trials suggest some biologics may reduce hospital visits.
Lung repair approaches
Researchers are exploring stem cell therapies and regenerative treatments that might repair damaged lung tissue in emphysema. These remain experimental, with most work still in early-phase trials.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on lung function testing results, smoking history, frequency of flare-ups, and whether standard inhaler combinations have been tried.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing new inhaled drugs, combination therapies, or pills that aim to improve breathing and reduce flare-ups better than current treatments.
- Biologic trials — Testing injectable antibody drugs, typically for people with severe COPD and high inflammation markers who have frequent exacerbations despite inhalers.
- Device and procedure trials — Testing bronchoscopic procedures that reduce hyperinflation in emphysema, or new delivery devices for inhaled medications.
- Rehabilitation trials — Testing exercise programs, breathing techniques, and digital health tools to improve quality of life and physical function.
- Prevention trials — Studies of screening methods, early interventions in smokers or high-risk groups, and treatments to slow disease progression in mild COPD.
Recently added COPD trials
Donate blood samples to help researchers track healthy aging
The Health for Hungary (H4H) study collects blood samples and corresponding health data to investigate healthy aging and health-to-disease transitions in middle-aged and elderly participants. Indications Studied: Apparently healthy, symptom-free participants are enrolled and followed up to study the onset of new-onset diseases with special emphasis on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Study Design: Single-country, multicenter, prospective, longitudinal survey. Objectives: The study aims to establish reference ranges of blood parameters using routine clinical blood tests and high-information-content methods, including proteomics, metabolomics and the so-called infrared molecular fingerprinting. The study also aims to identify novel biomarkers of major non-communicable diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease.
Unilateral vs. Bilateral Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
This study compares two surgical approaches for patients with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe emphysema: unilateral (operating on one lung) versus bilateral (operating on both lungs) lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).
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