Oxford ILD research

We encourage our patients to participate in national and global clinical trials.

Our team

Our research is conducted in partnership with the University of Oxford and trials are led and overseen by the ILD consultants:

• Dr Rachel Hoyles
• Dr Peter Saunders
• Prof Ling-Pei Ho

They are supported by a team of research nurses and practitioners.

Our research trials

Current areas of research include trials of new treatments for IPF, as well as trials to improve symptoms such as cough.

Trials range in intensity and duration, and may be as short as three months, or up to a year, or sometimes longer. All trials that we undertake will have passed a stringent UK ethical review, and there are strict standards in place to protect the safety of trial participants.

Taking part in research

Involvement in a clinical trial will run alongside your usual care. Your health and wellbeing will remain the priority, and the clinical team will always ensure that you are on the most appropriate treatment available.

Your clinician may invite you to take part in a clinical trial. It is entirely your decision whether to take part, and if you prefer not to, it will not affect your care in any way. We are always happy to discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking part in a trial, without any obligation to take part. Similarly, should you change your mind during the trial, you are free to withdraw at any time.

Sometimes we can combine trial activity with your usual clinic visits, but usually participation in trials will involve more frequent visits to the hospital. If this is the case, travel and parking expenses will be refunded, and trial sponsors are often willing to fund taxis.

Trial visits will take place on the Churchill Hospital site, and depending on the trial, may be conducted in purpose-built facilities owned by the University. We appreciate that people have other commitments and aim to be as flexible as possible with visit times.

How to find the Churchill Hospital

How to get involved

If you are interested in being involved in research, please contact us.

Email: respiratorytrialsunit@ouh.nhs.uk

With your consent, we can add your details to a secure, confidential database, with view to contacting you when a suitable trial is recruiting.

Trials recruiting

TIPAL

Treating people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with the addition of lansoprazole

This is a trial run by the University of East Anglia which aims to recruit 298 participants from different regions of the UK.

Aim

Previous research suggests that Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis progresses slower if patients regularly take anti-acid drugs (like lansoprazole) and they may be likely to survive longer. Such drugs reduce stomach acid which is thought to cause the scar formation and/or may directly reduce the amount of scar tissue. This is why people are often prescribed these drugs, but we don't really know if they benefit patients; the aim of the study is to find this out.

What is involved

After signing a consent form, you will be randomly allocated to receive either the medication, lansoprazole, or a placebo, which will be delivered to you at home. The duration of the trial is 12 months, and is conducted remotely, so that you will not need to make additional visits to the hospital.

A blood sample will need to be taken at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 month time points, but this can be done at your local surgery. You will be asked to complete weekly breathing tests at home, but training will be given.

Current trials

BMS 027068 (ALOFT IPF STUDY)

Aims

This is a phase 3 study looking to evaluate whether BMS-986278 (on oral lysophosphatidic acid receptor blocker) can slow the progression of pulmonary fibrosis over a 52 week period.

Patients on either Nintedanib or Pirfenidone can take part in this study.

What is involved

The study will involve 14 planned visits in a one-year period during which time you would be taking one of two doses of the study medication or a placebo. Neither you nor the study team will know which drug you are taking.

You will have more lung function tests than would be offered clinically and would have a CT scan at screening and at the end of the study. There are quality of life questionnaires and additional blood tests to undertake as part of the study.

CORAL Study

Aims

This is a phase 2b study designed to show whether Nalbuphine ER can help reduce the cough associated with pulmonary fibrosis over an eight-week period

What is involved

This study involves seven visits and two telephone calls over an eight-week period. You will take either one of three doses of Nalbuphine ER or a placebo. Neither you nor the study team will know which drug/dose you are taking.

On four occasions you will be asked to wear a sound recorder which captures how often you are coughing. You will be asked to use an electronic diary to complete quality of life questionnaires.

During the period of the study you will asked not to use other medications which could reduce cough such as morphine/codeine.

Syndax study SNDX-6352-0506

Aims

This is a phase 2b study designed to evaluate whether Axalitimab infusions are safe and effective in treating pulmonary fibrosis over a 26 week period.

Patients already on either Nintedanib or Pirfenidone may take part in this study.

What is involved

This study involves 19 visits over 26 weeks. On seven of these visits you will receive either an infusion of Axalitimab or placebo and neither you nor the study team will know which.

The study involves eye tests, additional blood tests, quality of life questionnaires and more frequent lung function tests than you would have normally.

Beacon-IPF study

Aims

This is a phase 2b extending to phase 3 study designed to see whether Bexotegrast (oral tablet) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Patients already on either Nintedanib or Pirfenidone may take part in this study.

What is involved

This study involves eight visits over a one-year period. You will either be taking a once daily dose of Bexotegrast (two potential doses) or a placebo. Neither you nor the study team will know which drug/dose you are taking.

You will be asked to have three CT scans during the study. You will be asked to give more blood tests and to complete quality of life questionnaires and do lung function tests more frequently than we would test clinically.

A double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of BI 1015550 over at least 52 weeks in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF and ILD)

Two studies: one testing IPF (1305-0014) and one testing ILD (1305-0023).

The rationale is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of BI 1015550 9mg bid and 18mg bid compared to placebo in patients with progressive fibrosing IPFs / ILDs in addition to patients' standard of care over the course of at least 52 weeks.

New treatments with better tolerability are needed for patients with IPFs / ILDs to further reduce the decline in lung function and improve quality of life.

Based on its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties and the preliminary clinical evidence described, BI 1015550 may provide an additional treatment option to patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis irrespective of concomitant treatment with standard of care.

Nurse-led research

Abstracts

Pirfenidone side-effect risk stratification: targeting nursing support at a single UK prescribing centre | European Respiratory Society (erj.ersjournals.com)

Real world patient experience of home spirometry within a UK ILD centre | European Respiratory Society (erj.ersjournals.com)

Patient perspective on antifibrotic monitoring - impact on management at a single UK prescribing centre (erj.ersjournals.com)

Patient perceived facilitators to greater self-management using home spirometry (erj.ersjournals.com)