Respiratory research

Approximately one in five people in the UK has ever developed asthma, COPD or another long-term respiratory illness. About 10,000 people in the UK are newly diagnosed with a lung disease every week.

In collaboration with the University of Hull, we undertake research to find new ways to prevent, treat and cure respiratory-related illnesses. These include diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis (CF).

We look to improve the treatment of these diseases by investigating the effectiveness of new medicines and medical equipment. In addition, we undertake trials to improve diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough.

We collaborate with Merck Sharp & Dhome (MSD) AstraZeneca, Bayer, Shionogi, GlaxoSmithkline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Synairgen, Sarcoidosis Uk, and Bellus and Philips.

Members

Professor Alyn Morice is the academic lead for respiratory research within the Centre.

Please see our people in the Clinical Sciences Centre for members of the respiratory research theme.

Our respiratory research is based at Castle Hill Hospital and comprises clinical academics and researchers, a busy clinical trials unit, research fellows, PhD students and support staff.

Research highlights

Gefapixant, a P2X3 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of refractory or unexplained chronic cough: a randomised, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group, phase 2b trial

PI: Professor Alyn Morice

Gefapixant is a P2X3 receptor antagonist that has shown promise for the treatment of refractory and unexplained chronic cough. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gefapixant compared with placebo after 12 weeks of treatment for refractory chronic cough or unexplained chronic cough.

Outputs

Gefapixant, a P2X3 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of refractory or unexplained chronic cough: a randomised, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group, phase 2b trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 1 Aug 2020, 775-785

Sentinel: Hull Asthma Project

Funder: AstraZeneca UK Ltd (£238,410.55)

PI: Professor Michael Crooks

Collaborators: Dr Chao Huang, Professor Judith Cohen, Professor Alyn Morice, John Turgoose

Timeframe: November 2020 to February 2023

The SENITEL project is quality improvement project that is being undertaken to transform asthma care in Hull. Implementation of the 2018 Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Guidelines for the Treatment of Adult Asthma into routine care is being promoted. This is being undertaken across the city's five Primary Care Networks (PCNs)/practices.

A longitudinal study of blood monocyte activation in sarcoidosis

PI: Professor Simon Hart

In sarcoidosis, organized collections of activated immune cells (granulomas) form in the lungs and other organs. How and why the immune cells become activated could identify targets for new treatment approaches. Our research demonstrated that the inhibitory molecule CD200R is reduced on circulating blood monocytes in people with sarcoidosis compared with healthy subjects (Fraser SD et al, Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 8;6:38689). Lack of CD200R leads to hyper-activation of monocytes, which in turn produce more inflammatory cytokines (proteins that drive inflammation in granulomas). CD200R normally serves to dampen down the immune response, so deficiency may contribute to the excessive inflammation in sarcoidosis.