The Landscape of Asthma Research in the United States
Asthma affects more than 25 million people across the country, and despite the range of approved medications available, a significant portion of patients continue to experience uncontrolled symptoms. Researchers are working to close that gap, and the past few years have brought notable advances. In April 2026, Breztri Aerosphere became the first triple-combination therapy approved for asthma maintenance in patients aged 12 and older, a decision backed by the Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trials. Meanwhile, biologic therapies—including dupilumab, tezepelumab, and benralizumab—continue to be studied in new combinations and for broader patient populations.
The research activity is distributed across academic medical centers, community hospitals, and specialized facilities. The American Lung Association's Airways Clinical Research Centers network runs studies at locations including Duke University, the University of Arizona, and the Vermont Lung Center. Institutions like Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston maintain dedicated asthma research centers that recruit participants year-round. What this means for patients is that opportunities exist in most regions of the country, though the specific trials available shift with the seasons and research cycles.
For someone typing "asthma clinical trials near me" into a search bar, the results will depend heavily on geography. Major metropolitan areas with research universities—Boston, Houston, Phoenix, Durham—tend to host the most active sites. But community-based allergy and pulmonary practices increasingly participate in multi-center trials, extending access beyond the usual academic hubs.
Why People Enroll
The reasons patients join asthma research are rarely simple. For Maria, a 47-year-old teacher in Phoenix, the decision came after years of cycling through the same medications with diminishing results. "I was using my rescue inhaler three or four times a week, and my pulmonologist had run out of new things to try," she explains. Through a trial at the University of Arizona, she gained access to a biologic therapy she had not previously been prescribed, along with monitoring that felt more attentive than her usual care.
For others, the motivation is financial. Stipends for clinical trial participation vary widely depending on the study's length and intensity. Current listings show compensation can range from modest amounts for single-visit screening appointments to more substantial sums for longer-term commitments. The Brigham and Women's Hospital Asthma Research Center, for example, offers compensation for screening visits and additional payments for studies that span multiple months and require numerous on-site visits. Some trials also reimburse for travel and parking, which matters for patients driving in from surrounding areas.
Then there is the broader motivation: contributing to research that could help other people with asthma. Many participants cite this as a meaningful part of their experience, particularly those whose own family members also live with the condition.
Types of Asthma Clinical Trials
Not all asthma trials are alike, and understanding the categories helps patients find the right fit.
Interventional trials test specific treatments—new inhalers, biologic injections, or oral medications—against a placebo or an existing standard therapy. These are the most common type and are categorized into phases. Phase II studies examine dosing and preliminary efficacy. Phase III trials involve larger groups and are designed to confirm effectiveness before regulatory submission. Phase IV studies examine medications already on the market to gather additional data on long-term safety or real-world performance.
Observational studies do not involve an experimental treatment. Instead, researchers track participants over time to understand how asthma behaves in different populations or under different conditions. These studies often require fewer visits and carry fewer risks, though they typically offer lower compensation.
Behavioral and self-management trials focus on non-drug interventions. One example is the ongoing asthma symptom perception study at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which examines how teaching patients to better recognize their own breathing patterns affects medication use and emergency visits.
| Trial Type | What It Involves | Typical Duration | Compensation Range | Best For |
|---|
| Phase II Interventional | Testing a new drug's dosing and early efficacy | 3–12 months | Modest to moderate | Patients who have not responded to standard treatments |
| Phase III Interventional | Large-scale confirmatory studies before regulatory review | 6–24 months | Moderate to substantial | Those seeking access to near-market therapies |
| Phase IV / Post-Market | Studying approved drugs for new uses or populations | 3–12 months | Moderate | Patients interested in lower-risk research |
| Observational | Tracking health data without experimental treatment | 1–6 months | Lower | Those wanting to contribute with minimal disruption |
| Behavioral / Self-Management | Testing education or monitoring techniques | 1–6 months | Lower to modest | Patients interested in non-drug approaches |
The Screening Process
Before joining any trial, patients go through a screening phase. This typically starts with a phone or online questionnaire covering basic health history, current medications, and asthma severity. If the initial answers align with the study's requirements, the next step is usually an in-person visit.
During that visit, researchers perform lung function tests—spirometry being the most common—to measure how well the lungs are working. Blood work may check eosinophil levels, a marker that determines eligibility for certain biologic trials. The team also reviews medical records, confirms the asthma diagnosis, and explains the study's schedule in detail.
Not everyone who screens will qualify. Studies targeting moderate-to-severe asthma often require evidence of poor control despite consistent use of inhaled corticosteroids. Some trials need participants with specific eosinophil counts or a documented history of exacerbations. The screening process exists to protect both the participant and the integrity of the research, but it can be frustrating to go through the steps only to be told the fit is not right.
Weighing Risks and Practical Concerns
Every clinical trial comes with unknowns. The treatment being studied may not work, or it may cause side effects that were not anticipated. The informed consent document—a lengthy form every participant must sign—details the known risks, but it also acknowledges that not everything can be predicted. Patients should read it carefully and ask questions before signing.
There is also the possibility of receiving a placebo. In randomized, double-blind trials, neither the participant nor the research team knows who is getting the active treatment and who is receiving a placebo. For some patients, the idea of potentially going months without active treatment is a dealbreaker. Others accept it as part of the scientific process. Most trials allow participants to continue their existing maintenance medications alongside the study drug or placebo, which provides a safety net.
The time commitment is another factor. Some studies require weekly visits for the first month, then monthly check-ins thereafter. Others involve overnight stays for monitoring. Patients with inflexible work schedules or caregiving responsibilities may find that only certain trial designs are practical for them. A severe asthma clinical trial, for instance, might demand more frequent monitoring than a mild asthma observational study, and that difference matters when planning around daily life.
Finding Trials Near You
ClinicalTrials.gov, maintained by the National Library of Medicine, remains the most comprehensive database for finding research studies. The search function allows filtering by condition, location, and recruitment status. Typing "asthma" into the condition field and adding a city or ZIP code narrows the results to trials actively seeking participants in the area.
The American Lung Association's website also lists studies through its ACRC network, with contact information for each participating center. Research hospitals and university medical centers often maintain their own lists of open trials. The Asthma Research Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, for instance, posts current studies with descriptions of what each trial involves and whom to contact for screening.
Word of mouth can be useful too. Pulmonologists and allergists sometimes learn about trials before they appear on public databases, especially if their practice is affiliated with a research institution. Asking during a regular appointment can surface opportunities that are not yet widely advertised. For those interested specifically in biologic therapies, searching for "asthma biologic clinical trials" along with a city or state name can help narrow the field.
Questions Worth Asking
Walking into a screening visit with a prepared list of questions makes the process less overwhelming. Here are several that experienced participants recommend:
- What is the purpose of this study, and what phase is it in?
- How many visits are required, and how long does each one last?
- Will I continue taking my current asthma medications during the trial?
- What happens if my asthma worsens while I am enrolled?
- Is there compensation for time and travel, and how is it structured?
- What happens after the trial ends—can I stay on the treatment if it works?
The research coordinator should be able to answer these clearly. If the answers feel vague or rushed, that is worth noting. A well-run trial invests time in making sure participants understand what they are agreeing to. James, a retired mechanic from Durham who participated in a Phase III inhaler study, put it simply: "The team that took the time to walk me through every page of the consent form was the team I trusted. The one that handed me the papers and told me to sign—I walked away."
A Practical Starting Point
Asthma research in the United States is moving quickly, and the range of trials available means there is likely something relevant for patients at different stages of the condition. The decision to participate is personal and should balance the potential benefits—access to new treatments, closer monitoring, compensation—against the real demands of time, travel, and uncertainty. The best first step is a simple one: look up what is currently enrolling in your area, read through the eligibility criteria, and make a call if something seems like a reasonable fit. You can always decide not to proceed after learning more, but you cannot know what is available until you check.
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