INFLIXIMAB FOR TREATMENT OF COPD - A PILOT STUDY

这个子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和调查员(PI)可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可能会出现在其他CRISE条目中。列出的机构是针对中心的，而不一定是针对调查员的机构。慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)是吸烟造成的严重并发症。除了严重的肺功能问题外，有证据表明炎症在导致COPD残疾方面发挥了重要作用。COPD患者体内的一种炎性因子--肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFa)升高，可能会导致严重的体重减轻、肌肉无力和消瘦。这些发现对COPD患者来说是一个严重的迹象。我们将使用一种名为英夫利昔单抗的药物对12名COPD患者进行初步研究，英夫利昔单抗是一种抗肿瘤坏死因子-α的抗体。我们将监测不良事件和一些可能表明临床改善的结果。这些指标包括肺功能、肌肉力量、运动能力、身体成分和生活质量。从这项先导研究中收集的数据将被用于在更大的患者群体中设计一种新的COPD新疗法的随机临床试验。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devasting complication of cigarette smoking. In addition to severe problems in lung function, there is evidence that inflammation plays a major role in leading to disability in COPD. Elevation of an inflammatory factor in COPD, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), could cause severe weight loss, muscle weakness and wasting. These findings are a grave sign in COPD patients. We will be performing a pilot study on 12 COPD patients using a drug called infliximab, an antibody against TNF-alpha. We will be monitoring adverse events and a number of outcomes that could indicate clinical improvement. These include lung function, muscle strength, exercise performance, body composition, and quality of life. Data gathered from this pilot study will be used to design a randomized clinical trial of a novel new therapy for COPD in a larger group of patients.