Clinical Research Directory

PTX3-targeted Antifungal Prophylaxis

This is a prospective genetically-stratified randomized double-blind event-driven multicentre clinical trial to assess the efficacy of posaconazole-based antifungal prophylaxis allocation strategies for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who receive induction chemotherapy. Allocation strategy based on an invasive mold infection genetic risk will be double-blinded.

Isavuconazole in Critically Ill Patients: Efficacy and Safety

Due to factors such as disease status, gastrointestinal conditions, commonly used medications (e.g., vasopressors), and cardiac output, the plasma concentration of isavuconazole in critically ill patients may differ from that in healthy individuals, exhibiting significant variability. This study aims to explore the variability of isavuconazole plasma concentrations in critically ill patients and its correlation with efficacy and adverse effects. The research includes: 1. The distribution and variability of isavuconazole plasma concentrations in critically ill patients; 2. Clinical outcomes; 3. Adverse effects.

Post Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Study of Cresemba in Korea.

The purpose of this study is to observe safety and effectiveness of Cresemba in patients with invasive Aspergillosis or invasive Mucormycosis in Korea during the post-marketing surveillance period as required by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Tuberculosis Patients

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is the most common cause of lung destruction, contributing to coinfections development, and Aspergillosis spp. is one of the most important. Diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in PTB patients is difficult due to similarity of clinical and radiological data, especially in resource-constrained settings. Differentiation of PTB patients with singling out a group with a higher Aspergillus IgG level during the initial examination will help physicians to orient to further examination of CPA. Objectives: to determine the prevalence of aspergillosis in Koch's bacillus-positive and Koch's bacillus-negative PTB patients and antifungal resistance of Aspergillus species isolates in Central Asia countries.

Interferon-gamma as Adjunctive Therapy in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: a Randomised Feasibility Study

This study explores the role of treatment with interferon-gamma to improve outcomes in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). CPA is a progressive infection caused by the fungus Aspergillus affecting patients with chronic lung disease like Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) or previously treated tuberculosis (TB). It causes gradual destruction of lung tissue by slowly enlarging cavities, frequent secondary infections and poor quality of life. Because of its indolent nature and nonspecific x-ray findings, it often remains unrecognised for years. Around 3600 people live with CPA in the United Kingdom. Mortality from CPA may be up to 40% in five years. Treatment for CPA relies on antifungals for prolonged periods, but only around 60% of patients improve. It is often long-term or lifelong as the response is slow and some patients experience relapses. In addition, only one class of oral antifungal drugs is licensed for CPA, and they are associated with side effects and high cost. Better treatments are needed for CPA. We do not know why many patients do not respond to treatment. Maybe CPA patients have a weakened immune system and are more susceptible to Aspergillus. Our data suggest that CPA patients produce lower amounts of ΙFNγ, a substance that facilitates the immune system's response against Aspergillus. We have also shown that, when given to patients with CPA who have failed to improve on antifungal treatment, interferon-gamma leads to improvement in important patient-centred outcomes like flares of lung disease or hospital admissions. Interferon-gamma is already in use in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom for other indications. Therefore, its use in CPA should be explored. However, CPA is a rare condition and the tolerability of interferon-gamma is not fully established in these patients. To understand whether a large-scale study is feasible in CPA, we first need preliminary data in smaller numbers of patients. We are conducting a randomised trial of interferon-gamma in addition to antifungals in CPA. Patients with CPA starting antifungal treatment are eligible. Participants (25 per group) are randomly assigned to interferon-gamma for 12 weeks (in addition to antifungals) or antifungals only. To test whether the treatment works, we will use measurements of the cavities on chest CT scan and scores on a quality-of-life questionnaire. We will assess for tolerability of treatment at intervals similar to clinical practice. Criteria for progression to the large-scale study will be set based on the proportion of patients willing to participate, and on the proportion who complete the treatment. Data collected on those parameters will allow us to determine the number needed for a definite study. If the large-scale study confirms our observations that interferon-gamma improves outcomes in CPA, then treatment duration can be shortened and relapses avoided. In addition, interferon-gamma can then be explored in other chronic lung disease.