Macrolides in asthma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of macrolides on asthma control, airways inflammation and bacterial colonisation in smokers with asthma.
IRAS ID
13980
Contact name
Neil C. Thomson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS and Glasgow University
Eudract number
2008-007240-34
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
00852579
Research summary
Asthma is a common disease in Westernised societies, affecting up to 10% of the population. Steroids are the most effective treatment for asthma but not all patients obtain benefit. A major cause of steroidinsensitivity in asthma is cigarette smoking. New drugs are needed for smokers with asthma who are unable to stop smoking.Recent cellular and animal research as well as clinical studies in non-smokers with asthma has shown that a group of antibiotics called macrolides may improve asthma control in smokers with asthma by reducing airway inflammation, by restoring steroid sensitivity and/or by anti-bacterial effects.We plan a ??proof of concept?? study to determine the benificial effects of macrolides in smokers withasthma. The study will be a 12-week controlled clinical trial comparing the oral macrolide, azithromycin with a matched placebo. A total of 80 smokers with asthma will be recruited. We will study the effects of azithromycin on lung function, symptoms, airway inflammation and number of bacterial in sputum.This study will determine the benefits of macrolides as a new therapy for smokers with asthma.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
09/S0703/23
Date of REC Opinion
9 Feb 2009
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion