Why Asthma Clinical Trials Matter Right Now
Asthma affects roughly 25 million people in the United States, yet many continue to experience symptoms even on standard maintenance therapy. The approval of newer biologic medications—such as tezepelumab (marketed as TEZSPIRE) and depemokimab (approved by the FDA in late 2025 under the brand name EXDENSUR)—has shifted the conversation. Researchers are no longer asking only whether a drug helps with day-to-day symptoms; they are investigating whether patients can reduce other medications, whether certain biomarkers predict a stronger response, and how long the benefits last between doses.
These questions sit at the heart of current clinical research. For instance, a Phase IIIb study sponsored by AstraZeneca is examining whether people with severe asthma who take tezepelumab can safely step down their maintenance therapy without losing asthma control. Another trial, the TRIM study conducted through the American Lung Association Airways Clinical Research Centers, is testing whether roflumilast—a drug more commonly associated with COPD—can help people with poorly controlled asthma and elevated BMI. Both studies reflect a broader trend: the field is moving toward precision medicine, meaning the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.
Types of Asthma Trials Actively Recruiting Across the Country
Asthma clinical trials vary widely in scope, duration, and what they ask of participants. Understanding these differences can help you decide which ones match your situation.
Phase I studies tend to focus on safety. They involve smaller groups and often require more intensive monitoring. The AMG 691 study sponsored by Amgen, for example, is a Phase I trial assessing an investigational drug in people with mild to moderate asthma. Participants complete one two-night inpatient stay and 19 clinic visits over 46 weeks, with compensation available for time and travel.
Phase III trials are larger and look at both safety and effectiveness. The KALOS and LOGOS trials that led to the recent US approval of Breztri for asthma fall into this category. These studies enrolled a broad population and demonstrated meaningful improvements in lung function compared with dual-combination therapy.
Biologic-focused research represents a growing segment. Dupilumab, omalizumab, mepolizumab, and the newer depemokimab all target specific inflammatory pathways. A trial run through the American Lung Association is investigating whether omalizumab can reduce COPD flare-ups in people who also have allergies—an example of how asthma research sometimes crosses into related respiratory conditions.
Screening protocols also exist for patients who may not qualify for a specific treatment trial but want to be part of a research registry. The University of Virginia's Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, for instance, runs a screening study for adults aged 18 to 65 with mild allergic asthma. Participants complete allergy tests, breathing tests, and blood draws, with compensation for the screening process, and may later be matched to future studies.
What Participation Looks Like: Time, Travel, and Compensation
A common concern among potential participants is the practical commitment. The answer depends heavily on the trial design. Some studies require frequent onsite visits—the Brigham and Women's Hospital Asthma Research Center currently offers compensation for a study involving 26 onsite visits over 22 months. Others are less demanding, with check-ins spaced weeks or months apart.
Compensation varies accordingly. Based on publicly posted study listings, shorter focus groups and surveys for asthma patients tend to fall in a more modest range, while longer clinical trials can provide substantially higher compensation for time and travel. Screening visits are often compensated separately. Parking at research center garages is frequently covered, and all study-related tests and medications are provided at no cost to participants.
A practical consideration: travel distance matters. The American Lung Association's Airways Clinical Research Centers are located in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont. If you live near Tucson, Chicago, New York City, Durham, or Burlington, you may have a research center within driving distance. Many academic medical centers—including those affiliated with the University of Michigan, Duke University, and Mount Sinai—run their own asthma trials as well.
Comparison of Asthma Clinical Trial Types
| Trial Phase | Example Study | Typical Duration | Visit Frequency | Best For | Key Considerations |
|---|
| Phase I | AMG 691 (Amgen) | Up to 46 weeks | 19 clinic visits + inpatient stay | Mild to moderate asthma | High time commitment; intensive monitoring |
| Phase III | KALOS / LOGOS (Breztri) | Several months to 1+ year | Periodic check-ins | Broad asthma population | Larger studies; established safety profile |
| Biologic Add-On | Tezepelumab step-down study | Varies | Regular visits with injections | Severe, uncontrolled asthma | May allow reduction of other medications |
| Screening / Registry | UVA Asthma Screening Protocol | 2-3 visits | Short-term | Mild allergic asthma | Gateway to future trial eligibility |
| Focus Group / Survey | Various market research | Single session | One-time | Any asthma diagnosis | Lower compensation; minimal medical benefit |
How to Find a Trial That Fits
The starting point for most people is ClinicalTrials.gov, a database maintained by the National Library of Medicine. Searching for "asthma" with location filters yields hundreds of actively recruiting studies. Narrowing by status—"recruiting" or "not yet recruiting"—and by distance from your ZIP code helps surface relevant options.
Academic research centers maintain their own listings as well. The BWH Asthma Research Center in Boston, the American Lung Association's clinical trials portal, and individual university hospital websites all publish current studies. Contact information for study coordinators is typically listed directly on each trial page, and reaching out by phone or email is encouraged.
Before calling, prepare a short list of your current medications, your most recent lung function test results if available, and any questions about time commitment. Study coordinators are accustomed to walking potential participants through eligibility criteria and what each visit involves.
Things to Ask Before Enrolling
Walking into a research setting can feel unfamiliar, but asking the right questions early helps set expectations. Consider bringing these to your first conversation with a study coordinator:
- What is the purpose of this trial, and which phase is it in?
- How many visits are required, and how long does each visit last?
- Is travel reimbursement or parking provided?
- Will I continue seeing my regular pulmonologist during the trial?
- What happens if my asthma worsens while I am enrolled?
- Can I withdraw at any point, and what does that process look like?
These questions are standard, and research teams expect them. A well-run trial will have clear answers ready.
Regional Resources Worth Knowing
Certain parts of the country have concentrated research activity. In the Northeast, Boston and New York City host multiple centers, including Brigham and Women's and Mount Sinai. The Midwest is served by Northwestern in Chicago and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Southwest has the University of Arizona's Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center in Tucson. The Southeast benefits from Duke University's program in North Carolina. If you live outside these hubs, telemedicine screening visits have become more common, though in-person visits for testing and drug administration are often still required.
Local chapters of the American Lung Association can also point you toward nearby studies, and patient advocacy groups sometimes maintain updated lists of recruiting trials. These organizations do not endorse specific studies, but they can be a useful starting point for understanding what is available regionally.
The Broader Picture
Asthma research in the United States is moving quickly, driven by a deeper understanding of the different subtypes of the disease. Eosinophilic asthma, allergic asthma, and obesity-associated asthma each respond differently to treatment, and clinical trials are increasingly designed with these distinctions in mind. For patients who have cycled through inhalers and oral steroids without lasting relief, a trial may offer something current standard care cannot yet provide. It also contributes data that shapes future guidelines—something that benefits the wider asthma community long after an individual study ends.
If you have been feeling stuck with your current regimen, looking into research opportunities might be worth an afternoon of reading and a phone call. No one should feel pressured to enroll, but knowing the landscape can turn a frustrating health situation into one where you have more options than you realized.
研究の知恵