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UI Researchers To Study New Outpatient Procedure For Asthma

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 12:01 CST

Joel Kline, M.D., and Geoffrey McLennan, M.D., Ph.D., at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics today announced the start of their participation as principal investigators in an international, multi-center clinical trial to explore a new investigational asthma treatment that may change the way we treat patients affected by asthma in the future.

The AIR2 (Asthma Interventional Research) study focuses on a procedure called Bronchial Thermoplasty(TM). The innovative procedure is being researched at sites across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Australia and the U.K. The minimally-invasive procedure is still under clinical investigation, but early patient data suggest it may hold promise for moderate and severe asthmatic patients.

Asthma is a disease involving greater than normal responsiveness of airways in the lungs to a variety of stimuli. This increased responsiveness can take the form of swelling of the airway wall, excess mucus production that can clog the airways, and significant narrowing of the airways when tiny muscles in the airway wall, called "airway smooth muscle", go into spasm.

"The smooth muscle in your airway stabilizes the airway wall. Contraction in the smooth muscle is a normal protective mechanism if noxious air or gases are inhaled," explains Kline. "But in asthmatic people the smooth muscle contracts abnormally, going into severe spasm, much like a cramp. This narrows the airway considerably, causing real health consequences for people with asthma."

"During Bronchial Thermoplasty(TM), an outpatient bronchoscopic procedure, we use the Alair System to go into the airways with a flexible bronchoscope through the nose or mouth. We then deliver thermal energy to the airway walls to reduce the presence of airway smooth muscle with the intent of reducing the smooth muscle spasm," says McLennan.

Asthma is one of the most common and costly diseases in the world. It affects more than 20 million people diagnosed with the disease in the U.S. alone. With an estimated two million emergency room visits, and 6,000 deaths per year, the prevalence of the incurable disorder is on the rise.

The researchers are careful to point out that they do not expect that this new investigational procedure will cure asthma. However, it is hoped that this procedure could be useful in reducing the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with asthma.

McLennan anticipates enrolling up to 20 patients over the next year at UI Hospitals and Clinics as part of the 300 patient research trial being conducted at various sites around the world. If you have asthma, are between 18 and 65 years of age, take medication daily to control your asthma and are a non-smoker, you may be eligible to participate in this study. For more information on participation in this study please call 866-400-AIR2.

The Alair System is an Investigational device. It is limited by law to investigational use. For more information on the Alair System or Asthmatx, please contact Karen Passafaro at 650-810-1100 x118 or kpassafaro@asthmatx.com. For questions about enrolling in the trial call 1-866-400-AIR2. For more information on the AIR2 trial, go to: www.AIR2Trial.com The study is sponsored by Asthmatx and investigators do not have a financial interest in the firm.

University of Iowa Health Care describes the partnership between the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and UI Hospitals and Clinics and the patient care, medical education and research programs and services they provide. Visit UI Health Care online at www.uihealthcare.com.

STORY SOURCE: Joint Office for Marketing and Communications, University of Iowa Health Care, 200 Hawkins Drive, Room E110 GH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1009.

DIGEST: UI Researchers To Study New Outpatient Procedure For Asthma Joel Kline, M.D., and Geoffrey McLennan, M.D., Ph.D., at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics today announced the start of their participation as principal investigators in an international, multi-center clinical trial to explore a new investigational asthma treatment that may change the way we treat patients affected by asthma in the future.

Source: Business Wire

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