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Pulmonary emphysema
MONDO:0004849A subcategory of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It occurs in people who smoke and suffer from chronic bronchitis. It is characterized by inflation of the alveoli, alveolar wall damage, and reduction in the number of alveoli, resulting in difficulty breathing.
Also known as: emphysema, emphysema, pulmonary
92 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types.
Follow this condition — get notified about new trialsSub-types
Broader categories
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New lung implant aims to ease breathing for emphysema patients
Disease control CompletedThis study tested a new implant designed to release trapped air in the lungs of people with severe emphysema or COPD. Up to 48 participants received up to two procedures to place the implants. Researchers checked if the device was safe and if it improved breathing over 12 months.
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Apreo Health, Inc. • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:02 UTC
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Could stem cells help breathe easier? new trial tests PROCHYMAL for COPD
Disease control CompletedThis phase 2 trial tested whether infusions of PROCHYMAL, a stem cell product, are safe and can help people with moderate to severe COPD. 62 participants received either stem cells or a placebo. The main goal was to check for side effects, and researchers also looked at changes i…
Phase: PHASE2 • Sponsor: Mesoblast, Inc. • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:00 UTC
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Lung valve registry shows promise for emphysema patients
Disease control CompletedThis completed French registry tracked 155 adults with severe emphysema or COPD who received Zephyr Valves, tiny devices placed in the lungs to help them work better. The goal was to see if the treatment safely improves breathing over 12 months. Researchers measured lung function…
Sponsor: Pulmonx Corporation • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:06 UTC
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New shot method for Alpha-1 lung disease shows promise in early trial
Disease control CompletedThis study tested a new way to give Alpha-1 protein therapy by injecting it under the skin instead of into a vein. Seventeen adults with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency received either a low or high dose weekly for eight weeks. The main goal was to check safety and how the drug mo…
Phase: PHASE1, PHASE2 • Sponsor: Grifols Therapeutics LLC • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:03 UTC
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Could a cold virus drug prevent COPD Flare-Ups?
Disease control CompletedThis study tested whether the drug vapendavir can reduce breathing problems in people with COPD who catch a rhinovirus (common cold). Fifty-two adults with COPD were given either vapendavir or a placebo after being exposed to the virus. The main goal was to see if vapendavir lowe…
Phase: PHASE2 • Sponsor: Altesa Biosciences, Inc. • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:53 UTC
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Could a simple breath test spot hidden diseases early?
Diagnosis CompletedThis study is testing a portable, non-invasive breath analyzer that measures tiny particles in exhaled breath to screen for conditions like type 2 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and lung disease. Researchers will enroll healthy volunteers and people with known diagnoses…
Sponsor: Respyr • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:07 UTC
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Radiation-Free lung scans for kids? new MRI shows promise
Diagnosis CompletedThis study tested a new MRI technique that can take pictures of children's lungs without using radiation or injecting contrast dye. 72 children aged 6-16 had both a standard CT scan and this new MRI. The goal was to see if the MRI could produce clear images of the lungs, potentia…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 15:40 UTC
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New hope for preventing Post-Surgery confusion in seniors
Symptom relief CompletedThis study tested whether giving a small amount of s-ketamine during chest surgery could reduce the risk of postoperative delirium (sudden confusion) in patients aged 60 and older. Over 500 participants were randomly assigned to receive either s-ketamine or another drug (dexmedet…
Phase: EARLY_PHASE1 • Sponsor: Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:28 UTC
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Ice your pain away: nerve freezing may cut opioid use after lung surgery
Symptom relief CompletedThis study tested freezing the nerves between the ribs during robot-assisted lung surgery to see if it reduces pain and the need for painkillers afterward. 33 adults having lung surgery were randomly assigned to get the nerve freeze or standard pain medicine. Researchers tracked …
Phase: PHASE4 • Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:07 UTC
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Could a tiny dose of muscle relaxant make lung scopes safer?
Symptom relief CompletedThis study looked at whether giving a low dose of a muscle relaxant (rocuronium) during bronchoscopy—a procedure where a tube is inserted into the lungs—could reduce complications like throat spasms and coughing. 153 adults having elective bronchoscopy were split into two groups:…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Harbin Medical University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:09 UTC
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Oxygen not always needed for exercise in lung disease?
Symptom relief CompletedThis study looked at whether people with chronic lung disease who experience drops in oxygen during exercise can walk just as far without extra oxygen as with it. Forty patients completed a 6-minute walk test twice: once breathing normal air and once with low-flow oxygen. The goa…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: University of Zurich • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:03 UTC
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Can NAC help you cough up mucus faster? new trial results are in
Symptom relief CompletedThis phase 3 trial tested whether the drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can thin mucus and make it easier to cough up in adults with respiratory infections like bronchitis or bronchiectasis. About 333 hospitalized patients in China received either NAC, another expectorant (ambroxol), o…
Phase: PHASE3 • Sponsor: Zambon SpA • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 13:33 UTC
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Scientists probe why lung disease raises COVID-19 risk
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study investigates how the immune system responds to COVID-19 in people with chronic lung conditions like asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis, compared to those without lung disease. Researchers collect blood, sputum, and nasal samples to measure immune signals and gene activit…
Sponsor: Imperial College London • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jul 04, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Scientists examine lung cells to understand chronic lung disease
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at immune cells called alveolar macrophages in the lungs of 18 people with non-infectious lung diseases. Researchers used a technique called flow cytometry to study the surface proteins on these cells. The goal was to better understand the role of these cells in…
Sponsor: Rennes University Hospital • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 14:01 UTC
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Can a heart drug combo help COPD lungs?
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study tested whether taking two common blood thinners (aspirin and clopidogrel) for two weeks can improve blood flow in the lungs of smokers with COPD. Fifteen current or former smokers with and without COPD participated. The goal was to see changes on a special CT scan, not…
Phase: PHASE2 • Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:32 UTC
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Could a stroll beat a sprint for oxygen testing?
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at 93 people with lung disease who get short of breath when active. Participants did two 6-minute walk tests: one at their fastest pace and one at their normal walking speed. The goal was to see if the normal-speed test gives a more accurate picture of when they…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:09 UTC
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Rare gene mutation may raise emphysema risk, small study finds
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at 8 people with a FLNA gene mutation to see how many also had emphysema, a lung condition that damages air sacs. Participants had a chest scan, breathing tests, and a checkup with a lung doctor. The goal was to confirm if this rare genetic change is linked to u…
Sponsor: University Hospital, Lille • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:07 UTC
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New MRI technique aims to sharpen lung images
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study tested a special MRI technique called Ultra Short Echo Time (UTE) to see if it can take clearer pictures of the lungs than traditional MRI. Researchers collected images and health information from people with and without lung disease to help doctors better understand l…
Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:08 UTC
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Scientists hunt for genetic clues in rare lung syndrome
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at 250 people to understand why some smokers develop a rare lung condition called combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). Researchers compared telomere length and genetic mutations in patients with CPFE, those with only fibrosis or emphysema, and healt…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Hospices Civils de Lyon • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:05 UTC
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Hospital dietitians boost nutrition in lung patients, study finds
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study tested whether having a dietitian help patients with lung disease order meals during a hospital stay could improve their nutrition and reduce the chance of being readmitted after discharge. 41 patients at nutritional risk took part. Researchers measured daily food inta…
Sponsor: Gødstrup Hospital • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:05 UTC
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New CT scan could sharpen lung valve surgery for emphysema
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study tested whether a special type of CT scan (dual-energy CT) can provide useful information for planning lung valve placement in people with emphysema. Researchers enrolled 13 adults who were already scheduled for the valve procedure. The goal was to see if the scan could…
Sponsor: Sameer Avasarala • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 12:57 UTC