Why Asthma Research Is Expanding Across the United States
More than 25 million Americans live with asthma, and for a significant portion of them, standard treatments do not provide adequate control. The past few years have brought a wave of new therapies—particularly biologics targeting specific inflammatory pathways—and the pipeline shows no signs of slowing. In April 2026, the FDA approved Breztri Aerosphere as the first triple-combination therapy delivered in a single inhaler for asthma patients aged 12 and older, based on the Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trials. That approval did not come out of nowhere. It rested on years of clinical research conducted at sites across the country, from university hospitals in Chicago to community clinics in Tucson.
The American Lung Association runs its own Airways Clinical Research Centers network, a collection of research sites nationwide that investigates treatments for asthma and COPD. This network, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Lung Association itself, gives patients access to studies that might otherwise be limited to large academic hospitals. Currently recruiting trials include the TRIM study, which is testing whether roflumilast—a drug originally developed for COPD—can help people with poorly controlled asthma and elevated BMI. That study is enrolling at five centers: Duke University in North Carolina, Mount Sinai in New York, Northwestern in Illinois, the University of Arizona, and the University of Vermont.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are running their own trials. Eli Lilly is recruiting for the RENEW-Asthma study, evaluating a compound called brenipatide for adults with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma. AstraZeneca continues investigating tezepelumab (marketed as Tezspire) in various populations, including the recently launched TAPER study that explores whether patients on biologic therapy can safely reduce their background medications.
The variety of asthma clinical trials available means patients with different profiles—mild allergic asthma, severe eosinophilic asthma, steroid-dependent cases—can find studies tailored to their situation. But the landscape can feel overwhelming without a framework for understanding what is out there.
| Trial Type | Example | Typical Duration | Compensation Range | Best For | Key Consideration |
|---|
| Biologic therapy | Tezepelumab (Tezspire) studies | 12–24 months | $1,000–$3,000+ | Severe, uncontrolled asthma | May require regular injections |
| Inhaler/combination | Breztri, ICS/LABA studies | 6–12 months | $500–$2,000 | Moderate persistent asthma | Often compares new vs. existing inhalers |
| Oral medication | Roflumilast (TRIM), brenipatide | 6–15 months | $800–$2,500 | Patients with specific phenotypes | Pill form can be more convenient |
| Observational/registry | Real-world data collection | 3–12 months | $100–$500 | Any diagnosed asthma | Lower commitment, no experimental drug |
The compensation figures in the table reflect what research sites and patient advocacy groups have reported as typical ranges. Shorter observational studies or one-time focus groups may offer between $50 and $350 per session, while longer interventional trials that require frequent clinic visits and procedures can provide more substantial reimbursement. Every study covers the investigational treatment and study-related medical evaluations at no cost to participants.
What the Enrollment Process Actually Looks Like
Walking into a research clinic for the first time can feel unfamiliar, but the process follows a predictable pattern. A screening visit typically includes a detailed review of your medical history, lung function tests, blood work, and sometimes allergy skin testing. The research team needs to confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria—and that the study is safe for you.
Eligibility varies widely. Some trials seek adults aged 18 to 65 with mild allergic asthma who are not on daily controller medications. Others target patients with severe asthma who have experienced two or more exacerbations in the past year despite being on high-dose inhaled corticosteroids. The PASSAGE study, a Phase IV real-world trial of tezepelumab, specifically enrolled populations often underrepresented in research: Black and African American patients, adolescents aged 12 to 17, people with comorbid mild-to-moderate COPD, and individuals with a significant smoking history. The results, presented at the American Thoracic Society 2026 conference, showed a 70% reduction in asthma exacerbations across all subgroups—a finding that resonated with clinicians who treat diverse patient populations.
James, a 47-year-old schoolteacher from Phoenix, enrolled in an asthma biologic trial after his third emergency room visit in a single year. "I was nervous about being a guinea pig," he recalled. "But the study coordinator walked me through the consent form page by page. I realized I could withdraw at any time, and that made the decision easier." He stayed in the trial for the full 18 months. His exacerbations dropped from four per year to zero.
The informed consent process is not a formality. It is a federally required safeguard that explains the purpose of the research, what procedures will be performed, potential risks and benefits, and your rights as a participant. Take the document home and read it. Ask questions. A reputable research team will welcome them.
How to Locate Asthma Clinical Trials Near You
ClinicalTrials.gov remains the most comprehensive database of registered studies in the United States. Searching is straightforward: enter "asthma" in the condition field, filter by "Recruiting" and "Not yet recruiting" status, and narrow by location using your city or ZIP code. The site lists eligibility criteria, study locations, and contact information for each trial.
The American Lung Association maintains a trial finder on its website that connects patients with studies at its Airways Clinical Research Centers. Local allergy and asthma clinics often run their own trials as well. The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center, for instance, posts current study opportunities on its research page, including device trials and biologic studies for moderate-to-severe asthma.
When evaluating a trial, consider asking these questions during your initial conversation with the research team: What phase is this study, and what is already known about the treatment? How many visits will I need to attend, and how long does each last? What happens to my asthma care after the study ends? Will I learn whether I received the active treatment or a placebo? Am I allowed to continue seeing my regular pulmonologist?
Some patients worry about receiving a placebo. In asthma trials, placebos are rarely used in isolation—participants typically continue their standard medications alongside the study drug or placebo. This design, called add-on therapy, ensures that nobody goes without treatment entirely.
Deciding Whether Participation Is Right for You
Clinical trial participation is not for everyone. It requires time, commitment, and a tolerance for uncertainty. The experimental treatment may not work, and side effects—while monitored closely—are always possible. But for people whose asthma remains uncontrolled despite trying multiple therapies, a trial can offer access to cutting-edge treatments years before they reach the broader market. It also provides a level of medical attention that is hard to replicate in a standard clinic visit, with frequent lung function monitoring and direct access to specialists.
The National Institutes of Health and patient advocacy organizations offer free resources to help you navigate the decision. No single answer fits every situation, but knowing what to expect makes the choice clearer. If you have been frustrated by treatments that do not seem to work, or if you want to contribute to research that could help others with asthma breathe easier, starting a conversation with a research center near you costs nothing—and it might open a door that was not there before.
研究の知恵