Can an inhaled protein save lungs in Alpha-1? new trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT04204252
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether inhaling alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) daily can slow lung function loss in people with Alpha-1 deficiency and moderate-to-severe lung disease. 220 adults will receive either the drug or a placebo for two years, then all will receive the drug for two more years. Researchers will measure lung function, lung density on CT scans, and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for inhalation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new inhaled treatment to slow lung function decline in people with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 3 trial, but results are not yet known. The drug may not slow lung decline better than placebo, and daily inhalation requires commitment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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98 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2019
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria 1. Diagnosis of severe AAT deficiency, i.e. patients with either Pi(ZZ), Pi(Z/Null), or Pi(Null/Null) genotypes. 2. Serum AAT levels ≤ 11 µM at screening. 3. Lung disease with clinical evidence of airflow limitation (post bronchodilator FEV1/SVC≤70%) at screening. 4. 40% ≤ FEV1 ≤ 80% of predicted post-bronchodilator at screening. 5. Patients who are either naïve or washed out of any AAT treatment for at least 8 weeks prior to randomization. 6. Age between 18 to 65 years inclusive at screening. 7. Able to read and sign informed consent and willing to participate in the study. 8. Males or non-pregnant, non-lactating females whose screening pregnancy test is negative, who are willing to use contraceptive methods for the duration of the study, or who are postmenopausal, or surgically sterilized. 9. Study medication use for at least 20 out of the 28 days of run-in, as recorded in the study nebulization PARI Track data. 10. Demonstrated ability to complete eDiary for at least 20 out of the first 28 days of run-in. Exclusion Criteria 1. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) absolute deficiency defined as serum IgA levels \< 0.05 g/L. 2. History of life-threatening transfusion reaction(s), allergy, anaphylactic reaction, or systemic response to human plasma-derived products. 3. Two or more moderate or any severe exacerbation(s) within the year prior to baseline. 4. A moderate exacerbation within 6 weeks prior to baseline. 5. Use of oral or parenteral glucocorticoids in doses above 10 mg of prednisone daily or equivalent generics (substance and dose). 6. Clinically significant inter-current illnesses (except for respiratory or liver disease secondary to AAT deficiency), including: cardiac, hepatic, renal, endocrine, neurological, hematological, neoplastic, immunological, skeletal, or other. Patients might be included after consultation with the treating physician and the sponsor if, in the opinion of the Investigator, their condition will not interfere with the safety, compliance or other aspects of this study. 7. Hospitalization for any cause during the 6 weeks prior to screening. 8. History of lung or liver transplant. 9. On any thoracic or hepatic surgery waiting list. 10. Any lung surgery within the past two years (including bronchoscopic lung volume reduction). 11. Any smoking within the year prior to screening. 12. Evidence of alcohol abuse or history of alcohol abuse, or use of illegal drugs and/or abuse of legally prescribed drugs in the last 5 years prior to screening. 13. Acute or chronic hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C), or positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serology. 14. Signs of significant abnormalities in serum hematology, serum chemistry, serum inflammatory / immunogenic markers and urinalysis per investigator judgment, taking into considerations the potential effects of the AAT deficiency. 15. Signs of significant abnormalities in ECG per investigator judgment at screening. 16. Presence of psychiatric/ mental disorder or any other medical disorder that might impair the patient's ability to give informed consent or to comply with the requirements of the study protocol. If, in the opinion of the Investigator, the condition will not interfere with the compliance or other aspects of this study, the patient might be included after consultation with the treating physician and the sponsor. 17. Participation in another clinical trial involving investigational medication or interventional treatment within 30 days and/or last dose 5 half-lives prior to screening visit. 18. Inability to attend scheduled clinic visits and/or comply with study protocol. 19. Any other factor that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent the patient from complying with the requirements of the protocol. Additional eligibility criteria apply for the open label extension
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Beaumont Hospital
Dublin, D09 YD60, Ireland
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Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ)
Nijmegen, 6532SZ, Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)
Leiden, ZA, 2333ZA, Netherlands
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Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, United Kingdom
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Skåne University Hospital
Malmö, SE-20502, Sweden
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Tays Central Hospital
Tampere, Finland
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University Hospital (UZ) Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
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University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
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University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Birmingham, B15 2GW, United Kingdom
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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