FLIP (Functional Lung Imaging of ILAs Prospectively)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Risk Stratification of Interstitial Lung Abnormalities using Hyperpolarised-Xenon MRI and blood biomarkers
IRAS ID
331994
Contact name
Emily Fraser
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to determine which patients with mild lung abnormalities will go onto develop progressive lung scarring.
Diseases affecting the tissue of the lungs (called interstitial lung diseases or ILDs) can result in lung scarring. This scarring can worsen over time and cause breathlessness and reduced life expectancy. Frequently, these diseases are detected late when scarring is advanced. Treatment slows down the disease but does not stop or reverse it. Therefore, it is important to identify disease early and start treatment in a timely manner to reduce the development of more severe disease. Not uncommonly, early interstitial lung abnormalities (termed ILAs) are picked up incidentally on CT scans. Because these abnormalities are mild, they do not cause symptoms and in some people, do not worsen over time. Others, however, will progress into ILD. Currently, when the ILA is first seen on CT we are unable to determine who will develop disease. We therefore need to follow people up carefully over several years, which places a burden on both healthcare services and the patient, and can also result in significant anxiety for those concerned.
Hyperpolarised-Xenon MRI (HPX-MRI) is a novel imaging technique that can identify lung abnormalities not visible on CT. HPX-MRI does not involve radiation, is safe and well tolerated. We wish to see whether this investigation, plus blood tests looking at specific proteins in the blood, can help us to tell the difference between minor lung abnormalities that will lead to disease from those that don’t. These tests may help us to better inform patients from the outset what their risk of developing disease is, and influence how we follow patients up. Most importantly, it will enable us to consider treatment early if there is evidence that the lung abnormalities are developing into disease.REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0034
Date of REC Opinion
14 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion