PI3 kinase signalling in airway epithelium
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of PI3Kinase signalling in recurrent infections in COPD and bronchiectasis; importance of airway epithelium
IRAS ID
126624
Contact name
Alison Condliffe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Patients with lung diseases suffer recurrent chest infections, causing unpleasant symptoms and further damaging their lungs. When bacteria are breathed in, they come into contact with cells lining the airways, which help protect the lung from infection. Proteins called PI3Ks may promote infection of airway cells and predispose to chest infections. We want to study airway cells from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis, and compare them to patients without these conditions, to see how much PI3K they have and how active it is. If excess PI3K promotes lung infection, PI3K inhibitors could treat/ prevent such infections, but we are not administering any medication as part of this study.\nPatients who are felt by their clinician to require a test called a bronchoscopy to investigate or manage their medical condition will be eligible for this study. A bronchoscopy is a test where, under sedation and local anaesthetic, a fine flexible telescope is passed through the vocal cords and into the lungs. Once in the lungs, small samples of the airway lining can be taken by biopsy or by using a fine brush. During the bronchoscopy, we propose to take 2-4 additional biopsy specimens and 2 additional brush specimens from 15 patients with COPD, 15 patients with bronchiectasis, and 15 patients of similar age who do not have these problems. We would only take the additional samples if both the patient and the operator were happy for this to happen. It would extend the time required for the procedure (which would be carried out for medical reasons and normally takes 20-30 minutes)only by a few (3-5) minutes. All the bronchoscopies would be performed in the Endoscopy Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital on a routine bronchoscopy list, by the clinician undertaking the list. \n
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EE/0170
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion