Clinical Research Directory

the PHENOSAR Trial: Use of Antibiotics in Treatment of Sarcoidosis

In this study it is investigated whether treatment with azithromycin in combination with doxycycline reduces the bacterial load of C. acnes in granulomatous tissue of patients with sarcoidosis and subsequently decreases the inflammatory activation measured by FDG uptake and serum biomarkers.

Diagnostic Value of EBUS-Guided Transbronchial Mediastinal Cryobiopsy Versus Conventional Bronchoscopic Approaches for Stage I/II Sarcoidosis

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), combined with endobronchial biopsy (EBB) and/or transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBMC) have high diagnostic yields for patients with sarcoidosis. However, a direct comparison between them has not been conducted. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare directly the diagnostic yield between EBUS-TBMC and EBUS-TBNA+EBB+TBLB in sarcoidosis.

Risk Indicators of Sarcoidosis Evolution-Unified Protocol

The purpose of this study is to develop prediction models that can prognosticate patients with sarcoidosis using clinical data and blood markers that can be obtained during a clinic visit.

Hydroxychloroquine as a Steroid-sparing Agent in Extrapulmonary Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology, mainly affecting the lungs and lymphatics. It affects people worldwide (incidence, 4.7-64/100000; prevalence, 1-36/100000/year). Although it is most often a benign acute or subacute condition, sarcoidosis may progress to a disabling chronic disease in 25% of the cases, with severe complications in about 5%, such as lung fibrosis, cardiac or neurosarcoidosis, defacing lupus pernio or blindness due to uveitis. When indicated, corticosteroids (CS) are the mainstay of treatment. Due to the kinetics of granuloma resolution, the usual and quite 'dogmatic' duration of treatment is said to be one year, following four classical steps. The long-term use of CS is hindered by cumulative toxicity and efforts have to be made to taper them, as quickly as possible, to the lowest effective dose. A recent report mentioned 39% of the CS-treated patients requiring a steroid-sparing agent. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are anti-malarial drugs that have been used since the 1960's as steroidsparing agents on the basis of a landmark study by Siltzbach reporting their efficacy in 43 patients with skin and intrathoracic sarcoidosis. Subsequently, two small randomized controlled trials have shown significant and prolonged improvement on pulmonary symptoms. Only small case series/reports have shown CQ/HCQ efficacy on extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis with response rates ranging from 67 to 100%. Nevertheless, CQ/HCQ are daily used for skin, bone, and joint sarcoidosis, as well as hypercalcemia. Nowadays, HCQ is preferred over CQ because of a lower incidence of gastrointestinal and ocular adverse reactions, which can be minimized by close attention to the dosage and regular retinal examination. Its profile of safety is well-known since it has long been employed to treat systemic lupus erythematous or rheumatoid arthritis. Its action is thought to rely on its ability to accumulate in lysosomes of phagocytic cells, to affect antigen presentation and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. The investigator hypothesize that HCQ may be an efficacious add-on therapy for extra-pulmonary sarcoidosis leading to a significant steroid-sparing effect.

Diagnostic Yield of Intranodal Forceps Biopsies in Mediastinal Adenopathy

The investigators will compare endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) with intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB) as it relates to the rate of diagnosis of suspected sarcoidosis.

Effectiveness of Methotrexate Versus Prednisone as First-line Therapy for Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

This is a prospective, randomized, non-blinded, multi-center, non-inferiority trial designed to compare effectiveness and side-effects of methotrexate versus prednisone as first-line therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Feasibility of Semaglutide in Advanced Lung Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether semaglutide, an FDA-approved treatment for diabetes and obesity, is feasible and tolerable in patients with advanced lung disease. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: 1. Are patients with advanced lung disease able to tolerate semaglutide therapy? 2. Are we able to titrate semaglutide therapy to a target weight? Participants will be asked to perform pulmonary function, physical function and body composition testing, as well as a blood draw before and after 12-weeks of semaglutide therapy. While on therapy, subjects will be surveyed regarding any adverse events or side effects.

RCT of Nintedanib in Fibrotic Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is generally managed with outdoor immune modulatory drugs, most commonly oral steroids and at times drugs like methotrexate or azathioprine as a steroid sparing agent. Around 15-20% of sarcoidosis patient develop fibrosis of the lung parenchyma. The effect of antifibrotics in such patients needs more studies. Nintedanib has been used with good results in patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease like IPF, SSC- ILD, and other progressive fibrosing ILD. By using nintedanib in fibrotic sarcoidosis it may be possible to limit the functional disability in these patients by slowing the rate of fibrosis and loss of lung function. The use of nintedanib if results in decrease in fibrosis and consequent decline in loss of lung function then it may be a safe and viable option for such patients. The hypothesis of this study is that in patients with fibrotic sarcoidosis on standard of care anti-inflammatory therapy, nintedanib may help in reducing the rate of decline in lung function and progressive fibrosis. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in subjects with fibrotic sarcoidosis

Exploring the Utility of Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Lung Disease

This is a single centre exploratory study that aims to apply hyperpolarized xenon-129 (129Xe) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods and measurements in individual patients with and without lung disease to better understand lung structure and function and evaluate response to therapy delivered as a part of clinical care.