Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Research

Our Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) experts are at the forefront of basic and clinical research. Our research is a collaborative effort among patients, providers and scientists. Clinical trials of new therapies for COPD are ongoing. You may be eligible to participate in these studies, which will be discussed with you during your clinic visit. It is very important to note that participation is completely voluntary and the decision whether or not to participate in research will not impact your care in any way.

Funding for our research comes from a variety of public and private sources. Our current ongoing research studies include:

• COPD-CRN research studies -- Our center is a member of the National Institutes of Health sponsored COPD Clinical Research Network (COPD-CRN). COPD-CRN includes ten centers across the United States, which was formed to conduct research to improve treatments for chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Enrollment in COPD-CRN studies is ongoing. For additional information, please visit the COPD-CRN website at http://www.copdcrn.org/.
• Industry-sponsored research studies -- Industry-sponsored studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of COPD. An industry-sponsored clinical trial of a potential new therapy for COPD will begin in January 2007. If you meet the criteria for enrollment, your doctor may discuss this study to you. Please feel free to ask about this trial and others when you meet with your doctor.
• Investigator-initiated research studies -- In addition to COPD-CRN and industry-sponsored research trials, UCSF has a number of COPD doctor and researcher initiated studies that you may be eligible for. Please feel free to ask your doctor for more information about these research studies.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007