Mucus plugs may trigger lung scarring in COPD patients

NCT ID NCT07236541

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Ming Zhong Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether mucus plugs in the airways of COPD patients lead to lung fibrosis (scarring). Researchers will collect lung tissue and mucus from 20 people during lung cancer surgery and compare those with and without COPD. The goal is to understand the link and find new treatment targets.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this study could point toward new drug targets to prevent lung scarring in COPD patients.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early observational study with only 20 participants. It cannot prove cause and effect, and results may not apply to all COPD patients.

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.

Participants

About 20 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Oct 2025

Expected to finish

Jun 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

The study population consists of adult patients undergoing lung cancer surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Participants include two groups: (1) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), defined by a pre-operative post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC \<0.70; and (2) non-COPD surgical controls with normal lung function. During clinically indicated lung cancer resection, distal non-tumorous lung tissue samples and airway mucus (if present) are collected without adding any additional surgical risk. All participants are ≥18 years old and able to provide informed consent.

Ages: 18 to 89 years
Sex: Anyone

Show 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 Age ≥ 18 years old; * Planned radical resection for lung cancer, with postoperative pathological diagnosis of primary lung cancer; * During surgery, non tumor lung tissue at a distance of ≥ 5 cm from the tumor edge can be obtained; ④ Case group: Preoperative pulmonary function examination confirmed diagnosis of COPD (FEV ₁/FVC\<0.70); ⑤ Control group: Preoperative lung function was normal (FEV ₁/FVC ≥ 0.70), with no history of COPD; ⑥ The subjects are able to understand and sign the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * ① Clear presence of other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis before or during surgery （IPF）、 Fibrosis after pneumoconiosis or tuberculosis; * Active pulmonary infections (such as bacterial pneumonia, fungal infections, active tuberculosis); * Having received neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, which may affect the morphology or molecular results of distal lung tissue; ④ Combined severe immunodeficiency or long-term systemic immunosuppressive therapy (such as glucocorticoids ≥ 20 mg/d, More than 4 weeks); * Merge with other serious systemic diseases (such as advanced heart failure, end-stage renal disease), affecting study compliance or Survival expectation; ⑥ Pregnant or lactating women; ⑦ Refusing to sign the informed consent form or deemed unsuitable by the researcher to participate in the study.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lung cancer pulmonary fibrosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Lung fibrosis

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Mucus plugs may trigger lung scarring in COPD patients

What the study statuses mean