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Pulmonary and Critical Care Clinical Trials

The following searchable list includes all the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care - Department of Medicine clinical trials currently looking for participants. Please feel free to contact us with inquiries about any of our ongoing research.

Trials

A Registry of Interstitial Lung Disease Patients

The purpose of this registry is to collect clinical information about people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) to help us better understand the causes of ILD and determine if particular types of treatment work better for some causes of ILD than others. The Registry will also be used to determine …
The purpose of this registry is to collect clinical information about people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) to help us better understand the causes of ILD and determine if particular types of treatment work better for some causes of ILD than others. The Registry will also be used to determine who might be eligible for and interested in participating in future studies related to ILD.

Participants agree to allow the collection of information from the medical record for research purposes and agree to allow us to contact them about future studies. Participants may also complete questionnaires during their standard of care visits, participate in an optional frailty study by taking a brief physical ability test at the time of standard of care visits, give optional blood for research, and optionally allow us to contact them about their health on an annual basis.

Eligibility Criteria
  • At least 18 years old
  • Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD)
  • Receives care at Northwestern's Pulmonary Clinic
Principal InvestigatorEsposito, Anthony J.Esposito, Anthony J.
Location(s)
  • Map it 675 N. Saint Clair St. Eighteenth Floor, Suite 250
    Chicago, IL
IRB number STU00060593
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INtervention Study In OverweiGHT Patients with COPD (INSIGHT COPD)

We are conducting the INSIGHT COPD study because symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high body mass index (BMI) overlap. There are many medications for patients with COPD, but there is little mention of weight loss as a possible treatment in current research. We are trying to find …
We are conducting the INSIGHT COPD study because symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high body mass index (BMI) overlap. There are many medications for patients with COPD, but there is little mention of weight loss as a possible treatment in current research. We are trying to find out if a lifestyle program that promotes modest weight loss and increased physical activity will improve COPD symptoms for those with a high BMI. We hope that the program will lead to weight loss and better exercise tolerance. We are also looking at the effects on shortness of breath, quality-of-life, and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

1 year, 2 visits.

Eligibility Criteria40 years of age or older with COPD, wants to participate in a healthy lifestyle intervention, body mass index of 25 -44.9
Principal InvestigatorKalhan, RaviKalhan, Ravi
Location(s)
  • Map it 201 E. Huron St.
    Chicago, IL
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT02634268IRB number STU00204332
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Pathogenic Wnt-beta catenin target genes in macrophages and fibrosis

The purpose of this study is to better understand the development of scleroderma-related lung fibrosis (ILD). We would like to investigate the role of macrophages and other important cells in the development of ILD. Macrophages are types of white blood cells important in the immune system. In healthy people, …
The purpose of this study is to better understand the development of scleroderma-related lung fibrosis (ILD). We would like to investigate the role of macrophages and other important cells in the development of ILD. Macrophages are types of white blood cells important in the immune system. In healthy people, macrophages produce proteins that activate the immune system to assist in tissue repair. However, there is evidence that in people with scleroderma, the macrophages behave abnormally and contribute to scarring in the lungs.

Patients who participate in this study will:

  • donate fluid collected from their lungs during a bronchoscopy (taken at the time they are already scheduled to have a bronchoscopy or during their scheduled endoscopy)
  • give a blood sample
  • give esophageal biopsies (taken during their scheduled endoscopy)
  • as an option, give skin biopsies

Eligibility Criteria
  • At least 18 years old
  • Meet criteria for systemic sclerosis
  • Receive care at Northwestern Medicine in Rheumatology, Pulmonary & Critical Care, and/or Gastroenterology scleroderma clinics
  • Plan to undergo a standard of care bronchoscopy or endoscopy at Northwestern or a research bronchoscopy through a separate Northwestern study
Principal InvestigatorPerlman, Harris RPerlman, Harris R
Location(s)
  • Map it 633 N. St. Clair St.
    Chicago, IL
IRB number STU00207083
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Molecular Biomarkers to Guide Therapy in the Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

The purpose of this study is to better understand the development and progression of scleroderma-related lung fibrosis (SSc-ILD). We would like to find indicators (biomarkers) that can help us predict which patients will develop SSc-ILD and who might benefit from receiving certain treatments. To do this, we …

The purpose of this study is to better understand the development and progression of scleroderma-related lung fibrosis (SSc-ILD). We would like to find indicators (biomarkers) that can help us predict which patients will develop SSc-ILD and who might benefit from receiving certain treatments. To do this, we will collect and study your clinical and imaging data and samples (blood, lung fluid, and skin) if you agree to participate in this research.

Eligibility Criteria

SSc Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Receiving clinical care at Northwestern Medicine
  • Meet 2013 ACR criteria for diagnosis of SSc

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to provide informed consent
  • Diagnosis of an overlap syndrome (i.e., SLE, RA, etc.) that is considered clinically significant by the investigators
  • Currently pregnant or nursing
  • Contraindication to the bronchoscopy per the pulmonologist

Healthy Controls

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Not diagnosed with a rheumatic autoimmune disease (i.e., lupus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to provide informed consent
  • Currently pregnant or nursing
  • Current smoker or former smoker (> 10 pack years)
  • Lung disease, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, cancer or history of cancer, HIV, or chronic liver disease
  • Contraindication to the bronchoscopy per the pulmonologist
Principal InvestigatorMisharin, AlexanderMisharin, Alexander
Location(s)
  • Map it 675 N. Saint Clair St. Eighteenth Floor, Suite 250
    Chicago, IL
  • Map it 675 N. Saint Clair St. Fourteenth Floor, Suite 100
    Chicago, IL
IRB number STU00218939
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