PrecISE Severe Asthma Study – Ages 18 and up

STUDY BASICS

Are you an adult who has severe asthma? You may be able to participate in a nationwide research study to help find new treatments for severe asthma using a novel approach called precision medicine, a method that customizes treatments based on a person’s specific type of asthma and its associated biomarkers. Participation lasts up to 3.5 years. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes swelling and inflammation in the airways, making it hard to breathe. About 5-10 percent of people with asthma have severe asthma—a condition characterized by worsening asthma symptoms over time and increasing asthma attacks, even when using asthma-controlling medications. The purpose of this NIH-sponsored study is to find new treatments for severe asthma using a novel approach called precision medicine, a method that customizes treatments based on a person’s specific makeup, as measured by biomarkers. Biomarkers are factors/chemicals measurable in a person’s blood, breath, and genes that can provide important information about their health. Researchers hope the findings from this study lead to better ways to treat people with severe asthma in the future. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18 and up
• Have severe asthma (worsening symptoms over time and increased asthma attacks) 
• Use a daily inhaled asthma maintenance/controller medication (e.g., inhaled corticosteroids, Flovent, Advair, Breo, Symbicort, Pulmicort, Qvar, Asmanex, etc.).
• Have access to a smartphone or tablet and are willing to download an app for use throughout the study.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Following a screening period to determine eligibility, participation includes multiple visits over about 2 years and involves various procedures such as physical exam, blood draws, lung function measurements, surveys, and an optional CT scan or x-ray. Some procedures may take place at home. Multiple different treatments will be tested in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to receive a treatment or placebo (inactive substance) for about 4 months, then take a break for 2 to 4 months before starting another treatment. Within the first 12 months of the study, participants are guaranteed to received active treatment (non-placebo) for a 4-month period. Participants will go through 2-3 different treatments during the study. Study treatments will be taken in addition to your current (or study provided) controller medication.