The COPD-OMA trial will examine if the asthma drug omalizumab (Xolair) benefits COPD patients with sensitivities to indoor allergens.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Trial Launch: The American Lung Association has started the COPD-OMA study to determine if a specific medication can decrease exacerbations in patients with COPD.
- Targeted Treatment: The research focuses on COPD patients who are sensitized and exposed to common indoor allergens in their homes.
- Medication Repurposing: Investigators are testing omalizumab, a drug already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for asthma, as an add-on to standard COPD therapy.
The American Lung Association (ALA) announced the launch of the COPD-OMA trial, a national clinical research effort to explore a new approach for reducing COPD flare-ups, according to the organization.
The study, conducted through the Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC), will examine whether the medication omalizumab (Xolair) can help reduce exacerbations. Omalizumab is already approved by the FDA for asthma and allergic diseases.
The trial focuses on a specific subset of patients: individuals living with COPD who are sensitized and exposed to common indoor allergens in their homes. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
COPD flare-ups often lead to emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and long-term declines in lung function, according to the ALA news release. The COPD-OMA study will evaluate whether adding omalizumab to standard COPD treatment can lessen these flare-ups and improve overall quality of life.
“COPD remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, and many people with COPD continue to experience dangerous and disruptive flare-ups despite current treatments,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, in a news release. “Through this important research, we aim to determine whether an existing, proven medication could offer new hope for people living with COPD and allergies. This study has the potential to significantly improve quality of life for millions of people.”
The ACRC network, which the ALA identifies as the nation’s largest nonprofit network of clinical research centers focused on lung disease, is currently recruiting participants at clinical sites across the US.
In addition to the NIAID, the national study is supported by Genentech.
