Patients given hope of lung repair drug.
Feb 6 2008 By Catherine Vonledebur, Health Reporter
A NEW drug which could repair lung damage in patients with emphysema is to be tried out at Coventry's University Hospital.
Coventry is one of 70 worldwide research centres - and the only UK hospital - taking part in pioneering new research into the causes and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Patients with COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, are being invited to take part in the two-year research study.
Dr David Parr, a consultant respiratory physician at University Hospital, said: "We are performing a trial of a potential new drug which could repair lung damage in patients with emphysema. Research is needed to provide evidence that patients who take a daily tablet of the drug, which is related to Vitamin A, experience health benefits as a result of repair to areas of damaged lung."
Patients needed for the study must have emphysema and must not have smoked for at least 12 months.
A second research study will look at finding the genes responsible for the development of COPD.
Dr Parr said: "We hope that by identifying the genes we will be able to discover why chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease occurs, so that in the future we can find better treatments."
Both of these studies have been made possible because of technical advances in the scanners used to take pictures of the lungs.
Images can be transferred onto computers, allowing more accurate assessments of lung disease.
Dr Parr added: "We are looking for people from across the country, as well as those living in the Midlands, to take part in these two important research studies."
Patients who are interested in taking part in one of the trials should write to Dr Parr at University Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX.
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/src/webroot/coventrytelegraph/news/coventry-news/2008/02/06/patients-given-hope-of-lung-repair-drug-50003-20441543/2/
Feb 6 2008 By Catherine Vonledebur, Health Reporter
A NEW drug which could repair lung damage in patients with emphysema is to be tried out at Coventry's University Hospital.
Coventry is one of 70 worldwide research centres - and the only UK hospital - taking part in pioneering new research into the causes and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Patients with COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, are being invited to take part in the two-year research study.
Dr David Parr, a consultant respiratory physician at University Hospital, said: "We are performing a trial of a potential new drug which could repair lung damage in patients with emphysema. Research is needed to provide evidence that patients who take a daily tablet of the drug, which is related to Vitamin A, experience health benefits as a result of repair to areas of damaged lung."
Patients needed for the study must have emphysema and must not have smoked for at least 12 months.
A second research study will look at finding the genes responsible for the development of COPD.
Dr Parr said: "We hope that by identifying the genes we will be able to discover why chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease occurs, so that in the future we can find better treatments."
Both of these studies have been made possible because of technical advances in the scanners used to take pictures of the lungs.
Images can be transferred onto computers, allowing more accurate assessments of lung disease.
Dr Parr added: "We are looking for people from across the country, as well as those living in the Midlands, to take part in these two important research studies."
Patients who are interested in taking part in one of the trials should write to Dr Parr at University Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX.
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/src/webroot/coventrytelegraph/news/coventry-news/2008/02/06/patients-given-hope-of-lung-repair-drug-50003-20441543/2/