Findings
Houston, Texas
Volume 5, Issue 1
January 2007

Patient studies

Looking for long-lasting relief from asthma?

Volunteers are being recruited for the study of a new treatment that could spell long-lasting relief for patients with moderate to severe asthma.

Performing a new procedure called bronchial thermoplasty, physicians apply a small amount of thermal energy to the airway to help patients breathe easier with less reliance on medications. The procedure, being tested by lung experts at Baylor College Medicine and other sites internationally, involves no incisions or major anesthesia.

As part of the clinical trial (called the AIR2 Trial), asthma patients with moderate to severe asthma who are between 18 and 65 years of age, are non-smokers, and take medication daily to control their asthma may be eligible to participate.

Patients interested in receiving more information can call the Baylor Asthma Clinical Research Center at 713-798-2681 or the national study hotline at 1-866-400-AIR2, or they can visit http://www.air2trial.com/.

AIM HIGH in cholesterol study

Volunteers are being recruited for a cholesterol study at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston to raise "good" cholesterol while reducing "bad" levels at the same time.

The study, part of an international initiative called AIM HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides and Impact on Global Health Outcomes), will evaluate the usefulness of a comprehensive solution for cholesterol patients by testing a refined version of the vitamin niacin, a known HDL booster, in conjunction with statins, which lower LDL.

A low HDL level is the most common cholesterol problem found in people with heart disease. Men or women with low HDL readings (less than 40 for men and less than 50 for women) are encouraged to enroll.

Prospective study participants can call 713-798-3171.

Elderly volunteers needed for influenza vaccine trial

Volunteers are being recruited for a trial at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston that will study the safety, effectiveness and immune response to a new experimental influenza vaccine.

Participants must be healthy adults 65 years of age and older who have no known allergy to flu vaccine and are available for study procedures for nine months. Each study participant will receive one injection of either the licensed or experimental influenza vaccine. Volunteers must not have already had the influenza vaccine this year.

For more information call the Influenza Research Center at BCM at 713-798-4912.