Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects more than 16 million Americans, and after years of slow progress, biologic drugs originally developed for asthma are now reducing flare-ups in COPD with high eosinophil levels. New triple-inhaler combinations and treatments for chronic bronchitis are also expanding options.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing biologic injections for COPD with eosinophilic inflammation, new bronchodilator combinations, anti-inflammatory pills, lung volume reduction valves placed by bronchoscopy, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Researchers are also studying alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic cause of early COPD.
Biologics for COPD
Injectable drugs like dupilumab, originally for asthma, are reducing flare-ups in COPD patients with high eosinophils. The first biologic approval for COPD opened a new chapter.
Lung volume reduction
Tiny one-way valves placed during bronchoscopy can reduce trapped air in damaged parts of the lungs. Trials are extending who can benefit from this less-invasive approach.
Pulmonary rehab
Structured exercise and education programs improve breathing, energy, and quality of life as much as some medications. Studies are testing tele-rehab to reach more patients.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on lung function tests (FEV1), flare-up history, smoking status, eosinophil count, and oxygen levels.
What types of trials are currently open
- New medication trials — Testing inhalers, biologic injections, or pills designed to reduce COPD flare-ups and improve breathing.
- Device trials — Studies of bronchoscopic valves, oxygen systems, and breathing devices for COPD.
- Lifestyle and behavior trials — Testing pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise, and quit-smoking programs.
- Surgical trials — Comparing lung volume reduction surgery, valves, and other procedures for severe emphysema.
- Observational studies — Following people with COPD to learn what causes flare-ups and what helps prevent them.
Recently added COPD trials
Digital Tool for Improved Self-management of COPD
Primary aim: To evaluate the feasibility, usability and safety of the investigational device in clinical practice over 6 months in 50 patients. Secondary aims: To describe the number of healthcare contacts and the adequacy of those contacts. Study design: Traditional feasibility clinical investigationPilot feasibility open observational study. Subjects: 50 subjects being investigated for or with a diagnosis of COPD with at least one exacerbation within the last year will be invited to voluntarily participate. Exclusion criteria is severe disease from either COPD or any severe concomitant conditions that would make home spirometry unsafe for the patient. Patients with no access to use BankID or similar electronic personal identification service and not using Android (version 8+) or iOS (version 16+) smartphones will be excluded. Intervention: At inclusion patients will be on-boarded on to the digital platform and recommended to follow instructions in the app. The intervention is the COPD Treatment check, which is a medical device that is connected to a spirometer. Patients will be instructed to self-test on a daily basis. Control group: There will be no control group. Primary endpoints: • Feasability and usability of the system in a clinical setting as determined by usage and questionnaire evaluation. Feasibility measured by proportion of participants who complete the study, compliance and adoption (system usage), time needed to train users Secondary endpoints: * Safety of the device \- Experienced usability and the number of adverse events * Adequacy of the participant's healthcare contacts. * Number of actual clinic contacts in relation to the number of recommendations by the COPD treatment check to seek medical attention. Exacerbations (as defined by healthcare staff) * Evaluation of questionnaires (healthcare and patient reported)
Blood Based Risk Evaluation With AI for Targeted Primary Health Care in Early Lung Cancer Detection
The study is a prospective, non-randomized feasibility study evaluating blood sample and machine learning-based risk stratification for lung cancer in patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Patients with COPD will be recruited in general practice, where they will have a blood sample drawn. All data will be analyzed by the machine learning model, and patients with increased risk of lung cancer will be referred for a low-dose CT scan of the chest. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of AI and DNA methylation-based risk stratification for lung cancer in patients with COPD in a primary care setting. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the safety of the risk stratification approach, the potential effects on quality of life and wellbeing, to gain insight into the patient and physician perspectives, and to estimate the health economic consequences.
Find COPD trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.