Molecular Phenotypes for Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Lung Diseases; Cystic Fibrosis

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT01116414

697

08-1509

5R01HL095396 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to develop an integrated view of molecular mechanisms underlying CF lung disease severity.

Full description

BACKGROUND:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CF has multi-organ involvement, but respiratory disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. The median age of survival in CF is only 37 years, but there is a broad range of disease severity in the lung, even among patients with identical CFTR genotypes, including deltaF508 homozygotes.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

This project holds great promise for defining a robust molecular phenotype for CF lung disease, which relates to prognosis, and new targets for therapy. By using a large and well-defined population of deltaF508 homozygotes who also have whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, and by studying gene expression across the whole transcriptome in a large number of samples of two relevant tissues (respiratory epithelium and transformed lymphocytes), we will be uniquely positioned to develop an integrated view of molecular mechanisms underlying CF lung disease severity.

Enrollment: 152 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 15+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with CF
• Participation in Genetic Modifiers of CF Lung Disease study (NCT00037765)

Exclusion criteria

• History of lung transplant
• Fully anticoagulated or clotting abnormalities
• Large nosebleed in the last 2 months
• Acutely ill