Striving to Develop a Better Treatment for COPD

4 months later, our search for participants for the COPD trial continues. With no known cure for this debilitating disease, volunteers remain hopeful that their efforts can help to find a better treatment, benefitting themselves and others.

“I wanted to participate to help others and to get some more recognition for the condition,” says Ian Hughes, who has been living with COPD for around 10 years. “Anything to make it better for other people and myself.”

Ian is alongside hundreds of others who have volunteered with the hope that the medication in this trial may provide a solution and alleviate COPD symptoms.

Edna Stoneman also has a long history of living with COPD, and has been dealing with this condition for over 30 years. “I’m always looking for ways to improve my lung capacity,” she told us. “The bases of my lungs have gone on both sides, but that’s from smoking and growing up in London during the Blitz.”

Through volunteering for this trial, patients hope that the treatment being tested will reduce exacerbations. Already approved for severe asthma, volunteers are hopeful that this medication will improve their quality of life living with COPD.

The COPD trial is progressing

Starting in April this year, we have already received responses from over 1000 people across the United Kingdom wanting to participate in this trial. Of these 1000, more than 250 were eligible to be contacted by our Research Nurse, Paula Rogers for further dialogue.

“I’m in a very privileged position to be able to speak to each patient, inform them about the study and to check if their specific condition meets the study criteria,” Paula told us. “Patients are expecting a call from the British Research Panel and share their stories with openness and honesty; it is a joy for me to interact with patients in this way.”

With nine sites located across the UK, including Cardiff, London and Glasgow, we currently have 26 patients ready to attend sites and advance in this trial process.

The process of matching our criteria to the appropriate patients is lengthy, however it is crucial that we are pedantic in our methodology, to ensure patient safety and effective results.

“Not all patients match the study requirements, which can be disappointing for them, but all patients are willing to be contacted again in the future if a more relevant study arises for them,” explained Paula.

Nevertheless, every application and volunteer are valued, as they bring us one step closer to progressing research.

Motivated for the future

Despite being severely limited, our volunteers remain hopeful for the future and keen to participate in upcoming trials.

“It really limits my daily life,” explained Edna. “I can still drive, but I’ve got to think about how far I can really walk when I get to the destination. I can usually only manage about 50 yards before I’m out of breath.”

Regardless of the challenges she faces, Edna remains optimistic and motivated to play a part in finding a better treatment. “Even though I’m elderly, I would definitely be willing to volunteer for future trials,” she told us.

Ian was also in agreement, telling us that he would “Definitely be willing to volunteer in the future. No problem at all.”

At the British Research Panel, we are delighted with the interest we have received for this COPD clinical trial. The high level of interest and entries increases the chances of having a successful trial.

We are looking forward to contributing to research alongside our volunteers and we remain optimistic that there are better treatments to be found for COPD.

If you are interested in participating in this COPD trial, feel free to click on the link below and fill out the questionnaire. We will get back to you within a few days:

https://bit.ly/37Bj5Sy

Written by Eloise Healey

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