Study of the Disease Process of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Characterization of the Pathogenesis of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Who can join
As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.
- Age
- 16 Years to 100 Years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Compensation
- Not stated
Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.
What to expect
No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.
What participation involves
Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.
- Compensation
- Not stated
- Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
- Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
- Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
- Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.
About this study
In plain language
This study looks at how lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease, damages the lungs. Researchers will study genes and proteins to help guide better treatments. People age 16 and older with LAM and healthy comparison volunteers may join.
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a destructive lung disease typically affecting women of childbearing age. Currently, there is no effective therapy for the disease and the prognosis is poor. This study is designed to determine the disease processes involved at the level of cells and molecules, in order to develop more effective therapy. Researchers intend to identify the proteins and genes that contribute to the process of lung destruction in affected individuals.
Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.
Eligibility
Who can join
- People with LAM must have signs of the disease on a lung biopsy (a tissue sample), chest X-ray, or CT scan (detailed pictures of the lungs).
- People with TSC (tuberous sclerosis complex) and LAM in their lungs may join.
- Healthy comparison volunteers who do not smoke must have gone at least 1 year without smoking and have no lung disease or disease affecting the whole body.
- Healthy smokers may join as comparison volunteers if needed. They must have smoked for at least 1 year, have no lung disease or disease affecting the whole body, and have normal chest X-rays and breathing tests.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people, including pregnant teens age 16 or older, may join. They will not have certain study tests or procedures while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Teens age 16 or 17 may join.
Who can't join
- People younger than 16 cannot join.
- People with advanced lung disease or disease affecting the whole body cannot join if the study team judges that participation would pose a major risk.
- People who use oxygen all the time cannot take part in the formal exercise study or stress echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound during stress). They may do a different exercise test to check their ability to do daily activities.
Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.
Official eligibility criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: General admission criteria for patients include one or both of the following: Findings on lung biopsy diagnostic of LAM; Findings on chest x-ray and/or chest computed axial tomography consistent with LAM. Patients with TSC and pulmonary LAM will be included in the study. Normal non-smokers in the control group are defined as individuals who have not smoked for greater than or equal to 1 year and have no systemic or pulmonary disease. Normal smokers defined as individuals with no systemic or pulmonary disease, who have smoked for greater than or equal to 1 year and have normal chest x-ray and normal pulmonary function tests may be included if needed as controls for a similar population of patients with LAM. Pregnant and or nursing women including pregnant minors may be included in accordance with Federal Regulations at Subpart B of 45 CFR 46. Subjects who are pregnant and or nursing will be excluded from procedures during their pregnancy that are greater than minimal risk, until they are no longer pregnant and/or nursing. A minor participant with a positive pregnancy test result will be informed promptly. The result will be discussed in a sensitive and developmentally appropriate manner with the minor, including explanation of the result, assessment of safety, and referral for appropriate follow-up care. The participant will be informed of the limits of confidentiality. The study team will encourage involvement of a parent or legal guardian when appropriate and safe. If there is concern for abuse, coercion, exploitation, or danger, the study team will follow applicable mandatory reporting laws and institutional policies, including notification of appropriate authorities and/or a parent or guardian when required to protect the participant or as otherwise required. Procedures that will not be completed while the subject is pregnant and/or nursing include: Arterial Blood Gases (ABG), HIV testing, treadmill test, lung biopsy, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy, and measurements with imaging modalities requiring contrast or with radiation exposure such as Chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI with or without contrast, lung scan, bone densitometry (DEXA). Allowing subjects to be included in the study may glean important information about individuals with uncommon pulmonary disease during and post pregnancy. Rationale for inclusion of children (16 to \< 18 years of age): LAM is a rare progressive disease that can manifest during adolescence, particularly in individuals with TSCassociated disease. Participation is expected to provide clinically meaningful evaluation and/or contribute important information about the natural history and presentation of LAM in younger patients. At age 16, the participant is generally capable of providing meaningful consent, understanding study procedures, and participating in discussions about risks, burdens, and potential benefits. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Exclusion criteria for patients include: Age less than 16. Advanced stage of a pulmonary or a systemic illness in which the risk of the study is judged to be significant even in the absence of a clear contraindication to the procedures. Exclusion criteria for patients for the formal exercise study and the stress echocardiogram include patients on continuous oxygen. Patients may perform an exercise test that will assess the patient's exercise capacity with activities of daily living.
Study sites (1)
MD
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center · Bethesda, MD 20892More trials in Bethesda