Using Rheological Methods to Characterize Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Sputum and the Effects of Mucoactive Agents

Completed

• Conditions: Cystic Fibrosis

• Registration Number: NCT00758771
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to characterize the rheological properties of cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthy sputum and to examine the effects of mucoactive agents on the rheology of CF and healthy sputum. By collaborating with Genentech, the investigators (scientists at UCSF) plan to incorporate the latest scientific findings into our work to discover and develop new treatments for CF.

Detailed Description

There are two major mechanisms for mucus clearance in the airway, both of which are dependent upon optimal mucus viscosity and elasticity. These mechanisms are severely impaired in cystic fibrosis. The physical properties of sputum can be measured using rheological methods, enabling comparison between mucus in health and in disease. Therapies which enhance mucus clearance from the airway and decrease the volume of airway secretions are collectively called "mucoactive agents." Therapies which specifically disrupt innate mucus architecture by breaking intermolecular entanglements and bonds are called mucolytic agents. Mucolytic drugs can be considered in three general categories: classic mucolytics (n-acetylcysteine), peptide mucolytics (Pulmozyme®), and non-destructive mucolytics (hypertonic saline). Using state-of-the-art rheological methods, we can characterize the physical properties of CF mucus and measure the rheologic effects of mucoactive drugs more accurately and reproducibly than what has been previously done in the literature. In this way, we will determine which of the current mucoactive agents are most effective in normalizing sputum rheology in CF, and we will gain important insights about the limitations of current mucoactive drugs.

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2007-10
• Study First Submitted: 2008-09-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-09-23
• Study First Posted: 2008-09-25
• Primary Completion: 2012-12
• Study Completion: 2012-12
• Status Verified: 2014-01
• Results First Submitted: 2014-01-22
• Results First Submitted QC: 2014-01-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-01-22
• Results First Posted: 2014-03-05
• Last Update Posted: 2014-03-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 38

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy control subjects:

  • Age 18-65
  • No history of lung disease or cardiac disease

• Cystic fibrosis subjects:

  • Age 18-65
  • Diagnosis of CF - sweat chloride values > 60 mM on pilocarpine iontophoresis sweat tests and/or 2 allelic CF-producing mutations by genetic analysis

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Exclusion Criteria

• Use of recreational drugs within 1 year prior to enrollment
• Use of tobacco within 1 year prior to enrollment, or > 10 pack-year tobacco history
• Upper respiratory tract infection in the 4 weeks prior to enrollment in the study
• Current use of antihistamines to treat allergies

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Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Shear Rheology	Cross-sectional	Baseline measure of sputum shear rheology

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UCSF Airway Clinical Research Center; 🇺🇸 San Francisco, California, United States