Clinical Research Directory

Lung Cancer Screening CT for Firefighters

Firefighters are at increased risk for cancer due to exposure to carcinogenic substances. Current lung cancer screening guidelines are predominantly based on smoking history and do not take into account high risk occupational exposures such as firefighting. This study aims to provide chest computed tomography (CT) scans to firefighters to determine the prevalence of lung cancer, other cancers detectable on CT chest, and lung diseases associated with increased cancer risk.

Diesel Exhaust Induces Glucocorticoid Resistance

The investigators are studying the effects of exposure to diesel exhaust on lung inflammation in the presence and absence of an inhaled corticosteroid. Although data is mixed, studies show that asthmatics have increased lung inflammation and worse symptoms during periods of higher air pollution despite taking their anti-inflammatory corticosteroid medication. One possible reason is that air pollution exposure may decrease the ability of corticosteroids to combat inflammation. To test this volunteers will inhale either a placebo or a corticosteroid, before sitting in an exposure booth for 2 hours breathing either filtered air or diluted diesel exhaust. Samples will be collected before and after exposure to analyze the effects of budesonide and diesel exhaust exposure.