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Observational Study of Lung Cells in Smokers Without COPD

This observational study is looking at lung cells called macrophages in people who smoke or used to smoke but do not have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Researchers want to understand why some smokers develop COPD and others don't. You may be able to join if you are between 40 and 75 years old, have a history of at least 20 pack-years of smoking, and do not have COPD or asthma. The study will look at the different types of macrophages in your airways and how they are working. The goal is to learn more about the biology behind who is susceptible to COPD. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to enroll 40 participants. It will include 20 subjects with preserved spirometry, 10 with and 10 without air trapping.
What's involved
You would undergo extensive health checks, including lung function tests and questionnaires. You would also have a bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to collect cells from your lungs.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study measures outcomes at 4 weeks after the procedure.

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NCT04722835

Lung Macrophage Populations and Functions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)-Susceptible Smokers

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 40–75Observational
University of California, San Francisco
~40 participants
Updated 2026-06-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Bronchoscopy with Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 3 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Prevalence of macrophage sub-populations in airway lumen.
Measured over 4 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Copd
Smoking
Tobacco Use

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SmokingTobacco Use

Where it's being run

3 sites across 1 states
California3

Study leadership

  • Mehrdad Arjomandi, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco

Who to contact

Yorusaliem Abrham
[email protected]
415-221-4810 · ext. 24269
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages between 40 to 75 years old.
History of at least 20 pack-years of smoking.
No diagnosis of COPD or asthma.
No spirometric evidence of airflow obstruction as determined by FEV1/FVC ratio ≥0.7.
FEV1 and FVC \>lower limit of normal.
Less than 1 pack-year history of tobacco smoking and no tobacco use within the past 12 months.
Subjects will be divided into two groups by their RV/TLC:

Exclusion

Any history of IV drug use or inhalation of recreational drugs other than marijuana: A- within the past 20 years. B- more than 100 times IV drug usage. C- longer than 1 year usage.
Marijuana use \>400 joints in lifetime or any within past 6 months.
Inability to walk briskly, run on treadmill, or pedal on ergometer to perform the study-required exercise level.
Pregnant/breast feeding.
Serious and active heart conditions- defined by stable or unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction (within the last 2 years), active congestive heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Liver cirrhosis.
History of chronic active Hepatitis B or C.

What this trial measures

  • Prevalence of macrophage sub-populations in airway lumen.4 weeks

    Number of macrophages measured by flow cytometry.

  • Functional status of macrophage sub-populations in airway lumen.4 weeks

    Relative percentage of macrophages measured by flow cytometry.