Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causing symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Who is affected?
Asthma affects over 300 million people worldwide across all age groups, though it often begins in childhood. In the United States, approximately 25 million people live with asthma, including 8% of adults and 7% of children.
Common symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- Chest tightness or pain
- Coughing, especially at night or early morning
- Symptoms that worsen with viral infections
- Symptoms triggered by exercise, allergens, or irritants
Current treatment approaches
Treatment for asthma generally involves:
- Controller medications: Inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists, leukotriene modifiers, and combination inhalers
- Quick-relief medications: Short-acting beta-agonists for acute symptoms
- Biological therapies: For severe, difficult-to-control asthma (targeting specific immune pathways)
- Trigger avoidance: Identifying and reducing exposure to asthma triggers
- Asthma action plan: Personalized management plan for daily control and emergency situations
Challenges in asthma treatment
Despite advances in asthma therapy, significant challenges remain:
- About 5-10% of patients have severe asthma that doesn't respond well to standard treatments
- Asthma exacerbations (attacks) can be life-threatening and often require emergency care
- Long-term side effects of high-dose corticosteroids
- Proper inhaler technique remains challenging for many patients
- Identifying the right biological therapy for individual patients
Research focus areas
Our asthma research is currently focused on:
- Novel biological therapies for severe, eosinophilic asthma
- Treatments targeting multiple inflammatory pathways simultaneously
- Strategies to prevent asthma exacerbations
- New combination inhalers with improved efficacy
- Biomarkers to better predict treatment response
Asthma
Inflammation and narrowing of airways causing breathing difficulty
Quick Facts
- Affects: Over 300 million people worldwide
- Common age of onset: Often begins in childhood
- Risk factors: Family history, allergies, obesity, exposure to environmental factors
- Management: Requires long-term control and quick-relief medications
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a progressive lung disease that causes airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and in some cases, asthma features that don't fully reverse with treatment.
Who is affected?
COPD affects approximately 1 in 7 adults over the age of 40, with higher prevalence in those with smoking history. Globally, it affects about 250 million people and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. In the U.S., about 16 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, though many more may have the disease without knowing it.
Common symptoms
- Persistent cough with mucus production
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
Current treatment approaches
COPD management typically involves:
- Smoking cessation: The most important intervention for smokers with COPD
- Bronchodilators: Short-acting and long-acting medications to relax airway muscles
- Inhaled corticosteroids: For reducing airway inflammation in combination with bronchodilators
- Pulmonary rehabilitation: Exercise training and education programs
- Oxygen therapy: For patients with low blood oxygen levels
- Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: To reduce inflammation and relax airways
- Antibiotics and steroids: For treating acute exacerbations
Challenges in COPD treatment
Major challenges in COPD management include:
- COPD is not curable, and lung damage cannot be reversed
- Exacerbations (flare-ups) can cause rapid health decline
- High rates of hospital readmission following exacerbations
- Associated cardiovascular complications
- Limited options for reducing disease progression
- Balancing treatment efficacy with side effects
Research focus areas
Our COPD research is currently focused on:
- Novel anti-inflammatory approaches beyond corticosteroids
- Treatments specifically targeting frequent exacerbations
- Investigating the link between COPD control and cardiovascular outcomes
- New bronchodilator combinations with improved efficacy
- Identifying biomarkers to personalize treatment
COPD
Progressive lung disease causing airflow blockage and breathing problems
Quick Facts
- Affects: Approximately 250 million people worldwide
- Primary cause: Tobacco smoking (in developed countries)
- Other causes: Air pollution, occupational exposures, genetic factors
- Prognosis: Progressive disease requiring lifelong management
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition where the bronchial tubes of the lungs become permanently damaged, widened, and thickened. This allows for mucus buildup and makes the lungs more vulnerable to infection.
Who is affected?
Bronchiectasis affects about 350,000-500,000 adults in the United States, with prevalence increasing with age. Women are more commonly affected than men. The condition can develop at any age, though it's more common in older adults. Many cases are classified as non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB).
Common symptoms
- Chronic cough with large amounts of sputum production
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Coughing up blood (in some cases)
Current treatment approaches
Treatment for bronchiectasis typically includes:
- Airway clearance techniques: Methods to help clear mucus from the lungs
- Medications to thin mucus: Making it easier to cough up
- Bronchodilators: To relax the airway muscles and improve airflow
- Antibiotics: To treat infections, sometimes used long-term for prevention
- Anti-inflammatory medications: In some cases to reduce inflammation
- Oxygen therapy: For patients with low blood oxygen levels
- Pulmonary rehabilitation: Exercise and education to improve quality of life
Challenges in bronchiectasis treatment
Managing bronchiectasis presents several challenges:
- Frequent exacerbations leading to decline in lung function
- Recurring infections, sometimes with resistant bacteria
- No FDA-approved medications specifically for bronchiectasis
- Difficulty breaking the cycle of inflammation and infection
- Adherence to daily airway clearance techniques
- Balancing antibiotic use with risk of resistance
Research focus areas
Our bronchiectasis research is currently focused on:
- Novel anti-inflammatory approaches to prevent exacerbations
- Reducing the need for rescue antibiotics
- Stopping further permanent damage to the airways
- Improving daily symptoms and quality of life
- Treatments targeting the underlying causes of inflammation
Bronchiectasis
Permanent widening of airways causing mucus buildup and infection risk
Quick Facts
- Affects: 350,000-500,000 adults in the U.S.
- Common causes: Previous severe respiratory infections, conditions affecting cilia function, immune deficiencies
- Key feature: Permanent widening of the bronchial tubes
- Management: Focuses on preventing infections and clearing mucus
Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is defined as a cough that persists for eight weeks or longer in adults. When extensive testing and treatment for common causes doesn't resolve the cough, it may be classified as refractory or unexplained chronic cough.
Who is affected?
Chronic cough affects approximately 10% of adults globally, with higher prevalence in older adults. It's one of the most common reasons patients seek medical care. While it affects both men and women, women tend to have more sensitive cough reflexes and may be disproportionately affected by unexplained chronic cough.
Common symptoms
- Persistent cough lasting 8+ weeks
- Cough that is often dry or produces minimal sputum
- Cough triggered by talking, laughing, singing, or changes in temperature
- Urinary incontinence due to coughing (especially in women)
- Sleep disruption
- Fatigue
- Social embarrassment and reduced quality of life
Current treatment approaches
Treatment for chronic cough typically involves:
- Treating underlying causes: Such as asthma, GERD, or postnasal drip
- Cough suppressants: Including opioids and non-opioid medications
- Neuromodulators: Medications that affect nerve signals involved in coughing
- Speech therapy: Cough suppression techniques
- Behavioral therapy: To help manage the urge to cough
Challenges in chronic cough treatment
Many challenges exist in treating chronic cough:
- Limited effective treatment options for refractory cough
- Significant negative impact on quality of life
- Side effects of traditional cough suppressants
- Difficulty identifying underlying causes in many patients
- Limited understanding of neurogenic cough mechanisms
Research focus areas
Our chronic cough research is currently focused on:
- Novel nerve-targeting medications (including P2X3 receptor antagonists)
- Therapies for cough resistant to standard treatments
- Improved understanding of neurogenic cough pathways
- Quality of life improvement measures
- Biomarkers to identify patients most likely to respond to specific treatments
Chronic Cough
Persistent cough lasting 8+ weeks often involving neurological pathways
Quick Facts
- Affects: Approximately 10% of adults worldwide
- Duration: Persists for 8+ weeks
- Common causes: Asthma, GERD, postnasal drip, but often unexplained
- Impact: Significantly reduces quality of life, causes social isolation and physical complications
Recent Advances in Pulmonary Research
Our clinical research is contributing to significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of respiratory disorders.
Targeted Biologics
Recent years have seen revolutionary advancements in biological therapies that target specific inflammatory pathways in severe asthma, offering new hope for patients who don't respond to conventional treatments.
Novel Anti-Inflammatories
Research into non-steroid anti-inflammatory approaches is opening new treatment avenues for patients with COPD and bronchiectasis who experience frequent exacerbations.
Cardiopulmonary Interactions
Growing evidence suggests that optimal COPD management may reduce cardiac events, leading to new research on the interactions between respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Neurogenic Cough Treatments
Better understanding of the nerve pathways involved in chronic cough has led to the development of neuromodulator medications with promising results in clinical trials.
Contribute to Advancing Pulmonary Medicine
Join our clinical trials to help develop new treatments for these challenging respiratory conditions.