A Growing Landscape of Asthma Research
Asthma research in the United States has entered a notably active period. The American Lung Association's Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) network, one of the largest asthma research programs in the country, continues to run multiple trials across sites in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont. In April 2026, the FDA approved Breztri Aerosphere as a maintenance treatment for asthma in patients aged 12 and older, marking the first triple-combination therapy in a single inhaler for this condition in the U.S. The approval was based on Phase III trials that, according to the manufacturer, showed meaningful improvements over dual therapy.
Meanwhile, the PASSAGE study — a Phase IV real-world trial conducted across U.S. sites — has been evaluating how tezepelumab performs in severe asthma patients often excluded from earlier research, including Black and African American participants, adolescents, and individuals with a history of smoking. The trial enrolled patients from diverse backgrounds and tracked outcomes over a full year of treatment. These kinds of studies reflect a broader shift toward understanding how asthma treatments work in the populations that need them most, not just in carefully selected clinical trial volunteers.
The pipeline of investigational therapies is also growing. Eli Lilly's RENEW-Asthma trial, listed on ClinicalTrials.gov with an update posted in July 2026, is testing brenipatide in adults with moderate-to-severe asthma. The TRIM study, sponsored by the American Lung Association, is investigating whether roflumilast — a medication already used for COPD — can help people with poorly controlled asthma and elevated body mass index. These trials represent different approaches: some test entirely new molecules, while others explore whether existing drugs can be repurposed for asthma.
What Kinds of Trials Exist and Who They're For
Clinical trials are generally divided into phases, and understanding the distinctions can help you gauge what you're signing up for.
Phase 1 trials are the earliest stage. They involve a small number of participants, often healthy volunteers, and focus on safety and dosing. These are less common for asthma patients unless the trial specifically needs people with the condition to measure how the body responds.
Phase 2 trials enroll a larger group of people who have asthma. The goal is to assess whether the treatment works and to gather more safety data. A Phase 2 asthma trial might compare different dose levels or look at how a drug affects lung function over several weeks.
Phase 3 trials are the large-scale studies most people think of when they hear "clinical trial." They can involve hundreds or thousands of participants across multiple research sites. These trials compare the new treatment against a placebo or an existing standard therapy. Approval from the FDA typically hinges on Phase 3 results.
Phase 4 trials, also called post-marketing studies, happen after a drug is already approved. They monitor long-term safety and effectiveness in the real world. The PASSAGE study mentioned earlier is a good example — it's gathering data on how tezepelumab performs outside the controlled conditions of earlier trials.
Beyond these phases, some studies are observational. These don't test a new drug at all. Instead, researchers track participants over time to understand how asthma progresses or how different factors — like environment, genetics, or lifestyle — affect the disease. The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for instance, runs a long-term asthma study (protocol #13-H-0059) that provides thorough evaluations to participants at no cost. The aim is to understand what drives persistent symptoms, not to test a new medication.
| Trial Type | Typical Duration | Key Focus | Participant Profile | Potential Benefits |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Weeks to months | Safety and dosing | Small groups, may include healthy volunteers | Early access to novel compounds |
| Phase 2 | Several months | Efficacy and side effects | People with asthma, moderate group size | Close monitoring, possible symptom improvement |
| Phase 3 | Months to over a year | Confirm effectiveness vs. standard care | Large, diverse populations | Access to near-market treatments, comprehensive care |
| Phase 4 | 1 year or longer | Real-world safety and outcomes | Broader patient populations | Contribute to long-term safety data |
| Observational | Varies (months to years) | Disease progression and biomarkers | Often includes multiple asthma subtypes | No experimental intervention, thorough evaluations |
The Financial Side: Costs, Compensation, and What to Expect
One of the most common questions about clinical trials is whether they cost money. For the vast majority of asthma clinical trials in the United States, the answer is straightforward: participating does not cost you anything. The study sponsor — typically a pharmaceutical company, a government agency like the National Institutes of Health, or a nonprofit research organization — covers the cost of the investigational treatment, study-related tests, and clinic visits. The NIH Clinical Center states this plainly: "There is no cost to you for study-related tests."
Compensation is a separate question. Many trials offer payment for your time and travel, though the amounts vary widely depending on the study's complexity, the number of visits required, and the procedures involved. For example, a screening visit for an asthma study at UVA Health lists compensation of up to $125 for completing the screening process. A study conducted through the University of North Carolina and the EPA offered approximately $475 for completing a bronchoscopy procedure. These figures are illustrative, not a guarantee — every trial sets its own compensation structure, and the details are always disclosed in the informed consent document before you commit.
Some trials don't offer monetary compensation at all but provide other forms of value. The NIH asthma study, for instance, gives participants a comprehensive evaluation of their asthma — something that might otherwise require multiple specialist visits. Participants in industry-sponsored trials often receive expert medical monitoring at no charge, including lung function tests, allergy assessments, and blood work that can provide insights into their condition.
It's worth noting that compensation is not the same across all research sites. A trial running in Tucson, Arizona, might offer a different amount than a similar study in Chicago or New York, reflecting differences in local costs and institutional policies. The informed consent form is where you'll find the exact figures.
Finding a Trial That Fits
Searching for "asthma clinical trials near me" is a reasonable starting point, but the landscape of clinical research databases can be overwhelming. Here are some practical approaches.
ClinicalTrials.gov is the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine. It lists most trials conducted in the U.S. and abroad. You can filter by location, trial phase, recruitment status, and condition. Entering "asthma" and your city or state will pull up actively recruiting studies. The site also shows whether a trial is accepting new participants and provides contact information for the research coordinator.
The American Lung Association's ACRC network has a dedicated clinical trials page where you can browse studies by center. Their five locations — in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont — each run multiple trials, and the page lists coordinator names and phone numbers directly. If you live near one of these centers, this is one of the most straightforward paths to participation.
Academic medical centers are another major hub. Institutions like the University of Pittsburgh's Asthma and Environmental Lung Health Institute, Duke University, Mount Sinai in New York, and Northwestern University in Chicago all run asthma research programs. Many have dedicated websites where you can browse open studies and submit interest forms. The University of Arizona's Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center in Tucson, for instance, has two actively recruiting asthma trials as of mid-2026, including a Phase 3 study on a fluticasone propionate/albuterol sulfate combination inhaler.
Specialized platforms like HelloStudys aggregate trial listings and let you search by condition and location. They can be less comprehensive than ClinicalTrials.gov but are often easier to navigate.
When you find a trial that seems relevant, the first step is usually a phone call or email to the research coordinator. They'll ask screening questions about your asthma history, current medications, and overall health. This initial conversation is not a commitment — it's a chance to learn whether you might qualify and what the study would involve.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Enroll
Walking into a research center with a prepared list of questions can make the difference between a confident decision and an anxious one. Here are the questions that experienced research coordinators recommend.
What exactly is being tested, and what phase is the trial in? If it's a Phase 1 or early Phase 2 study, the safety profile may still be unclear. Later-phase trials generally have more data behind them.
How many visits are required, and how long does each one last? Some trials demand weekly clinic visits for months; others only need you to come in once every few weeks. The time commitment can be substantial, especially if you live far from the research site.
What happens if my asthma worsens during the trial? All trials have protocols for managing exacerbations, and you'll have access to rescue medications and emergency care. Your regular asthma medications may or may not continue during the study — this varies by protocol.
Who covers the cost if I experience a side effect? Study-related injuries are typically covered by the sponsor, but the details should be spelled out clearly. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification.
Will I receive the experimental treatment, or could I get a placebo? In many trials, participants are randomized, meaning some receive the active drug and others receive a placebo. This is usually disclosed upfront. Some trials have an "open-label extension" phase where all participants eventually receive the active treatment.
Can I leave the trial at any time? Yes. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any point without penalty or loss of your regular medical care.
Who Tends to Participate, and Why
The motivations for joining an asthma clinical trial are as varied as the participants themselves. Some people, like Maria, have exhausted the standard treatment options and are looking for something new. Others have well-controlled asthma and want to contribute to science. A surprising number of participants report that the experience deepened their understanding of their own condition.
The University of Pittsburgh's Asthma Institute notes that most participants find their involvement in clinical studies increases their knowledge of asthma and how to manage it. The regular monitoring — spirometry tests, symptom diaries, consultations with specialists — provides a level of attention that routine clinic visits rarely offer.
There are also populations that have historically been underrepresented in asthma trials. The PASSAGE study's deliberate inclusion of Black and African American participants, adolescents, and people with a history of smoking reflects a growing recognition that asthma affects different groups differently. Researchers are actively seeking more diverse participants, and some trials are designed specifically to address gaps in knowledge about how treatments work across different demographics.
If you have severe eosinophilic asthma, for instance, you might find trials focused on biologic medications that target specific inflammatory pathways. If you have mild asthma and are otherwise healthy, you might qualify for studies that examine the basic mechanisms of the disease. The range of opportunities is broader than many people assume.
Regional Resources and Research Hubs
The geography of asthma research in the U.S. is concentrated but not monolithic. Certain regions have developed particularly strong clinical trial ecosystems.
The Mid-Atlantic region, anchored by the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, and research universities like the University of Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh, hosts a dense network of government-funded and industry-sponsored trials. The NIH Clinical Center, accessible via the Metro Red Line, is a dedicated research hospital where all care is provided at no cost to participants.
The Southwest, particularly Tucson, Arizona, has a long history of respiratory research. The University of Arizona's Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center has been a hub for studies on environmental factors and asthma. The region's climate and demographics make it a natural setting for trials that explore how air quality and allergens interact with asthma.
The Midwest features strong programs at Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of Michigan. These centers often run trials that draw participants from both urban and rural communities, offering a broader picture of how asthma behaves across different living environments.
The Southeast, with Duke University in North Carolina as a flagship, benefits from a population with high rates of asthma and allergies. The Duke Asthma Allergy Airway Center is part of the ALA's ACRC network and participates in multiple concurrent trials.
The Northeast, including Mount Sinai in New York and the Vermont Lung Center, rounds out the major research corridors. Mount Sinai's location in New York City gives it access to a diverse participant pool that reflects a wide range of ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and environmental exposures.
If you don't live near a major research center, some trials offer remote participation options. Telemedicine visits, electronic symptom diaries, and home spirometry devices are increasingly used to reduce the burden of travel. Not every trial can accommodate remote participation, but it's worth asking about when you first speak with a coordinator.
A Practical Roadmap for Getting Started
If you're considering an asthma clinical trial, a few concrete steps can help you move from curiosity to informed decision.
First, talk to your current pulmonologist or primary care provider. They may know of trials recruiting locally and can offer perspective on whether a particular study aligns with your health situation. Some doctors are directly involved in research and can refer you to studies they're affiliated with.
Second, search ClinicalTrials.gov with filters set to your location and "recruiting" status. Note the NCT number of any study that interests you — this is the universal identifier that makes it easy to reference when you call a research site.
Third, browse the American Lung Association's ACRC page if you live near one of their five centers. The coordinator contact information is listed publicly, and a brief email expressing interest is often enough to start the screening process.
Fourth, prepare a summary of your asthma history before you call. Know your current medications, your most recent lung function test results if available, and how many exacerbations you've had in the past year. This will help the coordinator determine quickly whether you might qualify.
Fifth, read the informed consent document carefully. It will be long and detailed — that's by design. The consent form is not a contract; it's a disclosure. Take it home, read it at your own pace, and bring questions to your next visit.
Finally, trust your instincts. A well-run clinical trial will never pressure you to enroll. The research team should be transparent, patient with your questions, and clear about what is expected of you. If something feels off, you can walk away.
Asthma research in the United States is moving forward at a pace that would have been hard to imagine a decade ago. New biologic therapies, repurposed medications, and smarter inhaler technologies are all being tested in trials that need participants. For people like Maria, who found herself back on the hiking trails after joining a study, the decision to enroll was not just about accessing a new treatment. It was about reclaiming something that asthma had taken away. If you're curious about what's out there, the next step is as simple as a phone call.
研究の知恵