Recruiting

Using cough samples to detect lung disease early

Plain-English translation of NCT05854563 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated September 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

Researchers are testing whether collecting a simple cough sample can help detect lung disease earlier and more easily than current methods. Instead of invasive lung procedures, they want to see if cough contains the same disease markers that doctors currently find through bronchoscopy—a procedure where a camera is inserted into the lungs. This study will compare cough samples to traditional lung samples from the same people to prove the cough method works.

Current ways to detect lung disease often require uncomfortable, invasive procedures. Researchers believe a simple cough sample could provide the same valuable information without the risks and discomfort, making early detection of lung cancer and other lung diseases more practical for everyone.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 21 years old
you are scheduled for a bronchoscopy procedure or a visit to an asthma or COPD clinic
you are a current, former, or never smoker
you do not have a known lung cancer diagnosis
you have or are suspected of having asthma, COPD, or another lung condition

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners that cannot be safely stopped
you have had a recent heart attack (within 3 months)
you have severe heart failure or severe high blood pressure in your lungs
you have very low platelet counts or severe kidney disease

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will provide a cough sample (collected into a special container), a saliva sample from rinsing your mouth, and possibly participate in a bronchoscopy procedure if already scheduled for clinical care. Researchers will analyze these samples to look for genetic changes and proteins that signal lung disease. The study involves comparing your cough and saliva samples to samples collected directly from your lungs during the bronchoscopy.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 4, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Bronx, New York

Key details

Sponsor

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Collaborators

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Enrollment target

~2,000 participants

Started

March 2023

Primary completion

June 2027

Age range

21 Years and older

Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in January 2026.

Contact the research team directly

Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.

Central contact

Aham Okorozo, MD

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Interested in joining?

Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov