What the trial was testing
The PLASMA enrolled 371 patients with asthma. The study was sponsored by University of Rochester and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Peer-led groups improved twice as much in asthma control as adult-led groups over 15 months.
JAMA network open · 2021 · NCT02293499
These findings — that peer-led group improved 0.59 points vs. adult-led 0.31 points on asthma control scale — were published in the JAMA network open and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 371 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with asthma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
If you're a teenager with asthma, learning from someone your age who's managing the same condition may help you control it better than a standard adult-led class. This approach is not yet standard care, but these results suggest it's worth asking your doctor about peer-led programs in your area.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open asthma trials
Metabolomics in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma in Children
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the metabolomic profile of blood and urine in children 12-17 years with asthma. The main question it aims to answer is: • Are there metabolites in the blood and urine that are specific for asthma exacerbation? Participants already receive standard therapy as part of their regular medical care for asthma.
A Study Assessing the Effect of Dupilumab on Inducing Clinical Remission in Asthma
This study tests whether an asthma medication called dupilumab can help people achieve complete asthma control (called "remission") when given earlier in their disease, before asthma becomes severe. Currently, most people with asthma only receive advanced treatments like biologics after their condition has worsened significantly and caused lung damage. This study explores whether treating high-risk patients earlier could prevent asthma attacks and lung function decline, potentially achieving remission before permanent damage occurs. The study is looking for adults aged 18-79 with moderate asthma who have had at least one asthma attack requiring steroid pills in the past 2 years, use medium or high-dose inhaled steroids regularly, have high levels of inflammation markers in their blood and breath tests, but don't yet meet criteria for severe asthma requiring biologic therapy. Participants receive either dupilumab or placebo injections every 2 weeks for one year, alongside their regular asthma medications. They attend clinic visits every 3 months for breathing tests, questionnaires, and safety monitoring. Neither participants nor doctors know who receives the real medication until the study ends. The goal is to learn whether early treatment with dupilumab helps more people achieve complete asthma control compared to standard care alone, potentially changing how asthma is treated from "waiting until severe" to "preventing severe disease." The study runs in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, involving 150 participants