Clinical Research Directory

The School-Age Children With Cystic Fibrosis and Their Parents on Health Literacy

This randomized controlled experimental study is planned to examine the effect of an online education program provided to school-age children aged 6-11 years diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and their parents on health literacy levels. The study population will consist of 123 school-age children with cystic fibrosis and their parents who are followed at the Cystic Fibrosis Outpatient Clinic of Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital. The study sample will include 104 children and their parents, who will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 52) or the control group (n = 52). Data will be collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Health Literacy Scale for School-Age Children, and the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32. Following the pre-test assessments, an online education program developed by the researcher will be delivered to the intervention group. The control group will not receive any additional intervention. Both groups will complete post-test assessments four weeks after the pre-test.

Muscle Fatigue in People With Cystic Fibrosis: Insight From a Mobile App

Muscle fitness is an important component of health. For instance, the ability to resist to muscle fatigue development is important for daily functioning. Previous studies have suggested altered muscle function in people with cystic fibrosis. However, it is unclear whether such findings still apply in the modern era of CF. Several studies suggested that recent improvements in therapeutics, including CFTR modulators, may have positive effects on the skeletal muscles, potentially normalizing the ability to resist to muscle fatigue. However, no studies to date compared muscle fatigue between people with cystic fibrosis and healthy controls in a large sample of patients. One difficulty is that muscle fatigue assessment requires high-cost dynamometric instruments, which also leads to a gap between research and clinical practice. Our research group has created a mobile application based on video analysis of the chair rising test that reports values of time, velocity and power as reliable as devices found in a laboratory environment. The application has been shown to be valid and reproducible for measuring muscle fatigue in healthy people. However, a validation is necessary before recommending its use in people with cystic fibrosis.

Phase 2 Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of ANG003

In this study, ANG003, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT; commonly called "enzymes"), is being investigated as a potential treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). People with EPI due to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) may be eligible to participate in this study. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of ANG003 and see if it works as well compared to Creon, an approved PERT.

Routine Validation and Reproducibility Testing of Laboratory Assays and Research Techniques Used for Endocrine, Cardiometabolic, and Musculoskeletal Disorder Research (VALD)

The purpose of this research study is to validate (check the accuracy of) laboratory assays, intravenous catheter insertion, and equipment or devices and their reproducibility, which is necessary to perform high quality research on chronic diseases, nutrition, and metabolism (the process by which a substance is handled in the body) at the University of Missouri. As technology changes and uses new testing methods, it is necessary to compare results from old tests, equipment and devices and new tests, equipment, or devices and the reproducibility of these measurements to make sure the results are accurate. Reproducibility means performing the same test more than once to see if the same results can be achieved each time. This study will look at the validation and reproducibility of tests and laboratory assays in participants who are healthy or affected by relevant endocrine, cardiometabolic, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Proof-of-concept Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacodynamics, and Pharmacokinetics of SION-719 When Added to Trikafta

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of SION-719 when given to people with CF who are already taking Trikafta.

Proof of Principle Study for an Efficacy Trial of Linaclotide for Cystic Fibrosis

Linaclotide is a medicine used to treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). It works by acting on the surface of the gut lining, where it increases the movement of salt and water into the bowel. This softens stools, makes them easier to pass, and can also reduce gut pain One advantage of linaclotide is that, unlike some natural substances in the gut, it is stable and can act throughout the intestine. Studies in animals show that it has the strongest effect in the upper small intestine, but it may act in other parts of the bowel as well. In people, however, it is not yet clear whether linaclotide mainly works in the small intestine or in the large intestine (colon). Knowing this is important, because it could help the investigators understand whether linaclotide might also be useful in other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, where the gut does not handle fluid properly. Linaclotide is taken as a capsule, but less than 1% is absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, it stays in the gut, where it is broken down into smaller active parts. This means both the small intestine and colon may be exposed to its effects. Until now, it has been hard to study this because traditional methods only measure one part of the gut at a time. A team at the University of Nottingham has developed MRI scanning methods that can safely and non-invasively measure water content in the small intestine and colon. The aim of this pilot study is to use MRI in healthy volunteers to see exactly where linaclotide acts. This knowledge will help optimise future studies in conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

Gastrointestinal Response of Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients on Mediterranean Diet

There is no study to date that has evaluated the impact or effect of a Mediterranean diet in children with CF. The goal of this study would be to help provide better guidance around questions the investigators, as CF care providers continue to receive from patients and families about how to best promote overall health in pediatric cystic fibrosis from a dietary perspective. Currently, the updated nutritional recommendations are variable and broad. Parents continue to search for more concrete guidance about how best to promote long-term health given the ever-increasing life expectancy of cystic fibrosis patients in this new area of advanced therapeutics. Given the changing landscape of the CF care in general, children are less likely to struggle with early life malnutrition, and it is becoming increasingly clear that high fat, high calorie diets are not beneficial nor are necessary for all children with CF.

Feasibility and Acceptance of SonoHeal for Airway Clearance and Preliminary Comparison With the Standard of Care

The proposed study is to gauge the early feasibility and acceptance of the SonoHeal device. The study will evaluate the usability of the SonoHeal prototype using well-established Human Factors Engineering methods recommended by the FDA. The investigators will also obtain a preliminary comparison with the standard of care ACT device, High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO).

Kidney Function in People With Cystic Fibrosis in the Era of HEMT

The purpose of this study is to find out what causes kidney disease in people with CF. The investigators will study biomarkers in the blood and urine that can either predict who is at risk or detect kidney damage early before it becomes permanent. The study will compare these markers in people with CF over time and during the treatment of lung flare-ups. It will also compare the blood and urine samples obtained from people without CF. The comparison aims to better understand the impact of cystic fibrosis and its treatment on the kidneys, as well as to develop improved methods for preventing, diagnosing, and treating kidney issues associated with CF.

Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adults With Cystic Fibrosis

The overall goal of this clinical trial is to: a) explore the feasibility, acceptability, and participant experiences with the group version of CF-CBT; b) examine the effectiveness of the virtual delivery of a group version of CF-CBT in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, coping skills, and health related quality of life among adults with CF. The primary research questions is: • How feasible and acceptable (i.e., drop out, adherence, and satisfaction) is virtual, group CF-CBT? The secondary research questions is: • How will virtual, group CF-CBT affect depression and anxiety? The tertiary/other research questions are: * How will virtual, group CF-CBT affect perceived stress, coping skills, and health related quality of life? * What is the association between group cohesion and depression, anxiety, perceived stress, coping skills, and health related quality of life? Participants will: * Complete short demographic questionnaire regarding their personal and health information. * Complete questionnaires about symptoms of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, coping skills, and health related quality of life at pre- and post-program. An additional measure of treatment expectancy will be completed at pre-program only. At post-program only, measures of group cohesion and treatment satisfaction will be completed. * Complete the CF-CBT online mental health program over eight weeks. * Be invited to complete an interview about their experiences with the program. Primary outcomes will be compared to benchmark study of individual CF-CBT. Secondary outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety) will be compared against themselves (i.e., pre- and post-group). Tertiary/other outcomes (i.e., perceived stress, coping skills, health related quality of life) will be compared against themselves (i.e., pre- and post-group). The associations between self-reported outcome measures and group cohesion will be analyzed by computing Pearson correlation coefficients.

A Study to Evaluate Safety and Explore Efficacy of New Lipase NHS7108 in Adult Participants With Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.

The purpose of this study is to measure the safety and explore the efficacy of 4 different doses of the new lipase NHS7108 in participants with EPI. In this study, all participants will take NHS7108 daily for 14 days and a matching dose of standard-of-care, pancrelipase (Zenpep®) for 14 days according to Treatment Sequence assignment. Both NHS7108 and Zenpep® are oral capsules that will be taken with each of the daily 3 meals and 2 snacks. Participants will interrupt all of their usual pancrelipase/pancreatin treatment for up to 8 days during screening and for the entire 2 treatment periods, where participants will take either the new lipase NHS7108 or a matching dose of the standard-of-care pancrelipase (Zenpep®). Participants will be asked to stay in a setting that allows controlled diet and 72-hour stool collection for approximately 7 days during the screening period and again for approximately 7 days at the end of each treatment period. During these 3 supervised periods, participants will receive a standardized diet with a predefined amount of fat and protein, stools will be collected in special containers and during the last day of the treatment period, blood samples will be obtained to measure fat absorption. These are essential to ensure valid assessment of participants' fat and protein absorption. Outside the 3 supervised periods, participants will be provided with guidelines and recommendations to create their own home-controlled meals and snacks according to their preferences for the remainder of the study duration. Number of Participants: The aim is to have 56 participants completing the study. Assuming approximately 14% drop-out rate, approximately 66 participants will be randomized to study intervention. Study Arms and Duration: The total study duration for each participant will be about 100 days (approximately 14 weeks), including: * A screening period of up to approximately 28 days (might be extended up to a total of 56 days) prior to the first dose administration. * A crossover treatment period (2 treatment periods: approximately 14 days each, with no washout in between). For each treatment period, study intervention will be administered 5 times a day (with 3 main meals and 2 snacks). After completion of Treatment Period 1, the participant will receive and start the new treatment for Treatment Period 2. * An end of treatment/early discontinuation visit within approximately 7 days of the last study intervention dose. * An end-of-study safety follow-up visit at 14 (±2) days after the last dose administration. Very low dose group: 10 mg NHS7108 (approximately 25,000 LU)/main meal and snack; 25,000 LU Zenpep/main meal and snack (50 mg NHS7108 \[approximately 125,000 LU\] per day; 125,000 LU Zenpep per day) Low dose group: 20 mg NHS7108 (approximately 50,000 LU)/main meal and 10 mg NHS7108 (approximately 25,000 LU)/snack; 50,000 LU Zenpep/main meal and 25,000 LU Zenpep/snack (80 mg NHS7108 \[approximately 200,000 LU\] per day; 200,000 LU Zenpep per day) Medium dose group: 40 mg NHS7108 (approximately 100,000 LU)/main meal and 20 mg (approximately 50,000 LU) NHS7108/snack; 100,000 LU Zenpep/main meal and 50,000 LU Zenpep/snack (160 mg \[approximately 400,000 LU\] NHS7108 per day; 400,000 LU Zenpep per day) High dose group: 60 mg NHS7108 (approximately 150,000 LU)/main meal and 30 mg NHS7108 (approximately 75,000 LU)/snack; 150,000 LU Zenpep/main meal and 75,000 LU Zenpep/snack (240 mg NHS7108 \[approximately 600,000 LU\] per day; 600,000 LU Zenpep per day). The dose for participants \< 60 kg who are assigned to the high dose group will need to be weight-adjusted to ensure that they receive no more than 10,000 LU/kg/day.

MAGNIFY - Pulmonary Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Cystic Fibrosis

This research study is looking at new ways of measuring the function of the lungs in patients with cystic fibrosis. This study is using the most advanced methods for measuring lung function including 2 tests called hyperpolarised gas magnetic resonance imaging (HP MRI) and multiple breath washout (MBW), to better understand changes in the lungs over time. HP MRI involves taking pictures of the air in your lungs after breathing in a harmless gas (xenon). MBW is a breathing test used to calculate something called the lung clearance index (LCI). By measuring these tests on the same day, alongside standard lung function tests, we aim to understand lung function in greater detail than ever before.

Prevalence of Exercise-induced Ventilatory Limitation and Associated Factors in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Receiving Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder affecting the entire body and associated with respiratory exacerbations, impaired quality of life and reduced life expectancy. The therapeutic management of cystic fibrosis has been profoundly changed by the recent arrival of a combination of highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor (ETI), which improve quality of life, respiratory function and reducing the number of exacerbations. The impact of these treatments on exercise adaptation has not been clearly identified. The main objective is to estimate the prevalence of ventilatory reserve amputation during submaximal exercise testing assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with cystic fibrosis treated with ETIs.

Bacteriophages for Adults With Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Achromobacter Lung Infection

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new treatment called AchromoPhage is safe and well tolerated in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have long-term lung infections caused by Achromobacter bacteria. AchromoPhage is a mixture of four naturally occurring viruses, called phages, that are designed to target and kill Achromobacter. This study will include 12 participants. People will be randomly assigned to one of three groups to receive AchromoPhage in different ways: by inhalation only, by intravenous (IV) infusion only, or by inhalation followed by IV infusion. Participants will: * Receive the study drug during clinic visits over a period of three weeks. * Provide blood, sputum, nasal, and oral samples so researchers can measure how the phages move through the body, how long they stay, and whether the body develops a response against them. * Complete breathing tests and quality-of-life questionnaires. The main question this study will answer is whether AchromoPhage causes any serious or treatment-limiting side effects in the first 42 days after dosing. Researchers will also look at changes in lung function, quality of life, phage levels in the body, and how the treatment affects Achromobacter and other bacteria in the lungs. The study is being run at the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) and the University of California San Diego (San Diego, CA).

Exercises' Effect on Muscle Strength, Aerobic Capacity and Respiratory Functions in Cystic Fibrosis

This research aims to evaluate the effects of upper and lower limb exercises on muscle strength and pulmonary function in children diagnosed with CF. While aerobic training is a known component of CF management, resistance training focused on specific limb groups has gained attention for its additional benefits. Upper limb exercises may aid respiratory muscle endurance and thoracic mobility, enhancing pulmonary mechanics. In contrast, lower limb exercises (such as cycling or squats) are associated with improved oxygen consumption (VO₂ peak), enhanced mobility, and greater lower body strength. This randomized clinical trial will be conducted using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The study will take place at the pediatric cystic fibrosis centers of Gulab Devi Chest Hospital and The Children's Hospital, Lahore. The targeted population includes children aged 6 to 18 years who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and referred to the physiotherapy department. The study duration will be ten months following the approval of the synopsis. Eligible participants will be children aged between 6 and 18 years, clinically diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, currently stable with no history of hospitalization or significant lung infection in the past month. They should be physically able to participate in exercise and capable of following instructions, with informed consent obtained from their parents or guardians. Children will be excluded if they suffer from other severe lung diseases, cardiovascular or orthopedic conditions that restrict exercise, recent surgery or hospitalization within the last month, or if they are unable to understand instructions. Those dependent on oxygen therapy or ventilator support at all times will also be excluded. The primary outcome measures will include lung function assessed by spirometry (FVC, FEV1), sputum production recorded through a sputum diary, and aerobic capacity measured by the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT). Muscle strength will be evaluated for both upper and lower limbs, using a handheld dynamometer for the upper limbs and the Sit-to-Stand Test for the lower limb

Physical Impairments in Children With Cystic Fibrosis

It is aimed to reveal impairments regarding urinary incontinence, dyspnea, muscle strength, functional capacity or quality of life in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis compared to healthy children and adolescents.

Understanding Inflammation, InFection and Interventions in Severe Exacerbations of Cystic Fibrosis

The UNIFIED-CF study is an observational study designed to investigate the impacts of treatment given for severe pulmonary exacerbations in people living with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Exacerbations are episodes when pwCF become more unwell, typically characterised by increased cough, sputum, and breathlessness and treated with a combination of oral and/or intravenous antibiotics. Severe exacerbations require treatment with intravenous antibiotics and impart considerable morbidity on pwCF. In this study, the investigators will recruit people at risk of severe CF exacerbations when they are well and if/when they are subsequently admitted for treatment of an exacerbation, the investigators will track symptoms and lung function during recovery, and collect blood, sputum and stool samples to allow us to explore the biological mechanisms of exacerbations and how they relate to different treatment responses. The study is event driven and will complete recruitment once 125 participants have completed treatment and follow-up for a severe exacerbation event. This study is funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. This study is part of a wider programme of research, led by the PULSE-CF Innovation Hub (and hosted by the University of Manchester). The aim of the Hub is that the data from the UNIFIED-CF study will ultimately support the design of a platform clinical trial to test exacerbation-prevention interventions in CF.

Identifying the Causes and Risk Factors of Pulmonary Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis

The CF-Tracker study is a community surveillance study, designed to understand the causes of exacerbations in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) (pwCF). These are episodes when pwCF become more unwell, typically characterised by increased cough, sputum, and breathlessness, and requiring prolonged courses of oral or intravenous antibiotics. This observational study applies a two-tiered approach over 12 months. It will recruit 200 pwCF to Group A, and an additional 100 pwCF to Group B, which follows the same format but includes additional in-clinic sampling. Participants will provide longitudinal clinical data and biological samples. Group B will be offered at 5 specialist CF centres (Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool), will include additional sampling methods at clinic visits, and additional scheduled clinic visits at 1 month and 6 months. Group B participants will be offered an in-person visit if they become unwell, so that samples can be collected before they start antibiotics. In Group B, those attending the Manchester clinic will have the option of taking part in a 12 month home environmental and pollution monitoring, and sleep monitoring (both optional arms). A pilot study will test the practicalities of running the same protocol in a paediatric population. This will consist of up to 25 children with CF (5-15 years) attending a paediatric clinic in one of the four core centres. Up to 40 healthy volunteers will be recruited to provide samples on a single occasion as controls. This study is funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. This study is part of a wider programme of research, led by the PULSE-CF Innovation Hub (and hosted by the University of Manchester, www.pulse-cf.com). The aim of the Hub is that the data from CF-Tracker will support the delivery of a platform clinical trial to test exacerbation-prevention interventions in CF.

Personalized Mobile Health Platform to Promote Physical Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis

The goal of this clinical trial is to help adolescents and young adults between the ages of 13-25 with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), medically stable, able to speak and read English, and are not experiencing a CF - related exacerbation, who are already active to remain, or gradually encourage them to increase their levels of physical activity Participants will be asked to utilize a smartphone program, called NUDGE that we have developed. NUDGE is a chatbot with evidence-based features known to help teens make progress toward health goal: * Set and review goals * Self-monitor progress * Provide feedback on goal attainment * Revise future goals

MRI Assessment of Lung Airways in Cystic Fibrosis: Evaluate MRI's Ability to Detect Changes in Airway Structure .

This study is being done to determine whether MRI can produce high quality lung and airway images in healthy and CF patients and if MRI can be used to evaluate size and shape of the airways with computer assistance. This study will also repeat MRI experiments two years after the initial MRI scan to see if changes to airway size and shape are seen over time. In a subset of participants, we will investigate whether MRI results are repeatable and reproducible in the short-term one week after the initial MRI visit. This study will help understand if MRI based measurements of airway size and shape can be used as a monitoring tool that does not use x-ray radiation in patients with CF.

ACT With CF Self-Help Toolkit

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tailored to meet the needs of adults living with cystic fibrosis (ACT with CF) is a newer form of talk therapy that has been shown to reduce anxiety \& depression and improve psychological flexibility, and value-based living. The investigators are now trying to find out whether a self-help version of this treatment (ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit) is also effective in reducing anxiety and depression and improving psychological flexibility and value-based living in adults with CF. Adults with cystic fibrosis are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. This study examines whether a patient-facing therapy, ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit can help to reduce anxiety and depression among adults with CF. This treatment can be accessed on the participant's smartphone.

Characterisation of a Population of Adults Suffering From Cystic Fibrosis in a Belgian Reference Center

This research project aims to better understand the consequences of diabetes on the quality of life, respiratory function, and nutritional status of patients with cystic fibrosis followed at a Belgian reference center and to compare the quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis depending on whether or not they have diabetes.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor in a Paediatric Population

Cystic fibrosis is a rare, progressive genetic disease caused by a mutation in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene. Respiratory and nutritional effects are crucial to patients' prognosis. Since the early years of 2010, etiological treatment has been based on the use of CFTRm (CFTR modulator), which aim to restore the function of the mutated protein. Initially used as monotherapy and targeting a limited number of patients, CFTRm has gradually been extended to a larger number of patients, to the point where it now concerns 9 out of 10 patients, through the use of triple therapy with Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftro (ETI) or Kaftrio(R). The efficacy of triple therapy is spectacular, revolutionizing the prognosis of the disease. However, the potential for neuropsychological side-effects (20-50% depending on age, but more frequent in young children under 5) and hepatic side-effects (hepatic cytolysis) must be taken into account. A better understanding of pharmacokinetic variability in children, as well as the relationship between exposure to therapeutic effects and adverse reactions, is therefore particularly important. The aim of this study is to measure the association between the pharmacokinetic parameters of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor (plasma clearance and volume of distribution) and therapeutic or adverse effects in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis treated with the combination.

Clean Air for Rare MUcociliary Clearance dIsorders

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air purifier can improve respiratory health in children and adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). The main questions it aims to answer are: Can using a HEPA air purifier at home reduce respiratory symptoms in people with CF or PCD? Can it improve lung function and overall health? Researchers will compare participants' health outcomes before and after the use of the HEPA air purifier to see if cleaner indoor air makes a measurable difference. Participants will: Visit the clinic for baseline health assessments (such as lung function and symptom questionnaires). Have two HEPA air purifiers installed in their home. One device will be placed in the main living area and one in the bedroom. Undergo exposure assessments during home visits to measure indoor air quality.