Clinical Research Directory

Role of the Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) as Biomarker of Fibrotic Lung Diseases

To evaluate the effect of an anti-fibrotic treatment initiation on the fibrotic activity as assessed by FAPI PET/CT.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Community Registry

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) results from a diverse group of health conditions and affects the lives of patients (including those who are post lung transplant), caregivers and family members. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Community Registry will offer an online portal where participants can self-enroll and directly contribute information about their experience with PF to be compiled into a longitudinal data set for use by researchers.

FAPI PET Imaging - An Exploratory Study

This study is testing a new imaging tracer called \[18F\]FAPI-74 with PET scans. Researchers want to find out how well this tracer shows certain diseases in the body, including several types of cancer and some non-cancer conditions like fibrosis and sarcoidosis. \[18F\]FAPI-74 attaches to a protein found on cells that are active in tumors and areas of scarring or inflammation. This may help doctors see these areas more clearly than with imaging methods used today, especially in diseases where current scans do not work well. People who join this study will get one injection of the tracer into a vein, then have one PET/CT or PET/MR scan. This takes about 2 hours in total. Researchers will compare the results with imaging the participant already had as part of their regular care, such as other PET scans, CT, or MRI. No extra treatment is given, and no other visits are needed. The study will take place at 5 hospitals in Switzerland and plans to include about 770 adults with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of one of the conditions being studied. The main goal is to see how clearly the tracer shows up on the scan. Researchers will also look at whether this new scan changes how confident doctors feel about a diagnosis, or changes the patient's treatment plan.

Home-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Health Coaching in Patients With Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease

The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine the impact of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program with health coaching on patient-reported respiratory-related quality of life and physical activity, as compared to usual care in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease.

Impact of Airway Mucus Plugs on Secondary Pulmonary Fibrosis in COPD Patients: A Single-Center Case-Control Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently accompanied by airway mucus plugs, which are closely associated with airflow obstruction, acute exacerbations, and increased mortality. However, whether mucus plugs contribute to secondary pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. This single-center, prospective, case-control study aims to investigate the relationship between airway mucus plugs and lung fibrosis in patients with COPD undergoing lung cancer surgery. During surgery, distal non-tumorous lung tissues and airway mucus will be collected for histological and molecular analyses. Mucus plug burden will be quantified using AB-PAS staining, and fibrosis will be assessed using Masson staining. Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, fibrotic markers, and the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 will also be measured. COPD patients (FEV₁/FVC \<0.70) will be compared with non-COPD surgical controls. The study aims to clarify whether mucus plugs are associated with increased fibrosis and to explore the potential involvement of mechanical-signaling pathways, including Piezo1 activation. Findings may provide new clinical and pathological evidence for mucus-induced fibrotic remodeling in COPD and help identify novel therapeutic targets.

Pulmonary Outcomes on Patients With Lung Fibrosis

The pulmonary fibrosis is lung disease that occurs when lung tissue become damaged and scarred. The objectives of treatment are to improve symptoms and quality of life, and slow disease progression.

Immune Modulation by Exosomes in COVID-19

Following whole blood stimulation with mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes, immune phenotype, cytokine release and mRNA expression patterns from critically ill patients with COVID-19 will be determined.