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
- Dr Emily Fraser
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: ortu.nurses@ndm.ox.ac.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
Vicore Aspire
Aim
This is a 52-week randomised, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of Buloxibutid in the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The trial allows for patients not on current treatment or those on Nintedanib (at a stable dose). Unfortunately patients on Pirfenidone cannot take part in this study.
What is involved
This study will involve having additional CT scans to the standard of care and may involve eye checks.
MIST
AP01-007 - nebulised Pirfenidone / placebo trial in progressive pulmonary fibrosis
Aim
This is a phase 2b placebo controlled multinational trial to evaluate the effect of nebulised Pirfenidone on slowing disease progression in progressive pulmonary fibrosis (non-IPF).
What is involved
12 visits over one year. Neither you nor the study team will know which drug you are taking. Participants can be on Nintedanib as long as it is a stable dose. You will need to administer a nebuliser at home and keep an electronic diary.
Current trials
TIPAL trial – impact of acid suppression with PPI in IPF
Aim
This trial aims to evaluate the effect of high dose proton pump inhibitors on the progression of IPF.
What is involved
Home based spirometry and diary monitoring over 1 year. Neither you nor the study team will know which drug you are taking. Can be on anti-fibrotics as long as stable dose. Closed to recruitment in Oxford.
Fibroneer-ON
BI 1305-0031 – Follow up study to test long term treatment with Nerandomilast (BI 101550) in patients with pulmonary fibrosis who took part in the parent study.
Aim
This is an open-label extension study where all patients who took part in the parent FIBRONEER study are treated with the active medication Nerandomilast, aiming to evaluate drug side effects over a longer period.
What is involved
12 visits over two years. All patients are on the active drug. They can be on Nintedanib or Pirfenidone. Closed to new recruitment.
Autotaxin
BI 1462-0004 – A study to test whether BI 1819479 (autotaxin inhibitor) improves lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Aim
This is a phase 2 placebo controlled multinational trial to evaluate the effect of BI 1819479 (autotaxin inhibitor) on disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
What is involved
10-12 visits for 6-12 months (the trial stops when the last participant has completed 6 months). They can be on Nintedanib or Pirfenidone. Neither you nor the study team will know which drug you are taking. Closed to new recruitment.
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.
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.
BMS 027015 (ALOFT PPF STUDY)
This is a phase 3 study looking to evaluate whether BMS-986278 (an oral lysophosphatidic acid receptor blocker) can slow the progression in patients who have the progressive fibrosis phenotype - this will include a wide range of lung diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and NSIP.
Participants will need to have had progression of their lung disease in the two years prior to study recruitment. A wide range of background therapies including Nintedanib are permitted within the study. The study will run over a 52 week period.
GRI-0621-IPF STUDY
This is an early phase study (2a) looking to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral GRI-0621 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
This study does involve undergoing two bronchoscopy examinations of the lung (a camera in the lung under sedation) as well as a bone densitometry scan and an eye test. Background treatment with either Pirfenidone or Nintedanib is permitted in this study.
