What next?
What next?
About this study
Scientists are investigating the causes of pulmonary fibrosis to help develop new treatment options. Higher levels of certain molecules in the lungs are related to the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Higher levels of molecules called integrins are found in the lung tissue of IPF patients. A new drug bexotegrast may help to block the role of integrins in the scarring process and slow disease progression.
In this next phase of research, scientists want to find out more about the safety and effectiveness of this drug in people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and investigate the potential effects on lung function decline, symptom improvement, and quality of life changes.
There are many different types of research. These studies might ask participants to test different treatments, devices, or complete questionnaires. Some studies may not require any involvement from people affected by PF, but instead look at cells in a lab environment, animal models, or utilise computer modelling.
A study involving people can be:
- Interventional – participants are given an active treatment decided by researchers. This could be a change in medication or lifestyle (e.g. exercise, diet, complementary wellbeing therapy, or symptom management). These are commonly known as clinical trials.
- Observational – participants are assessed for specific changes over time, but researchers do not alter their standard treatment or care (e.g. questionnaires to understand the impact of symptom, or patient registries that track trends in how disease affects people or the services that are provided).
There are 3 main phases of clinical trials:
- Phase 1 is the earliest stage of research, where there is often a focus on understanding if the treatment is safe or if it causes any side effects.
- Phase 2 still focuses on safety and side effects, but also tries to find out more about what is the best dose.
- Phase 3 often compares the new treatment to existing treatments or lookalike medications.
As drugs or interventions move into the different phases, the number of people taking part will increase. Not all studies will make it to the later phases, especially if the intervention is not found to be safe or effective in phase 1 and 2.
The recruitment aim is the number of people that researcher want to take part in the research study.
What is involved?
You will be randomly placed into 1 of 3 groups. Groups 1 and 2 will receive a higher or lower dose of bexotegrast. Group 3 will receive a placebo. A placebo is something that looks exactly like the drug, but there are no active ingredients. All 3 groups will take tablets by mouth, once per day.
Throughout the duration of the study, you will be asked to visit the hospital 8 times. This will be complementary to your standard health care. The healthcare and research team will assess your health and carry out tests including: breathing tests to measure your lung function, blood tests, urine tests, medical scans and health-related questionnaires.
You may be able to receive reimbursement for your travel, parking and food expenses during the hospital visits.
Summary of involvement
Study duration for 1 year
8 hospital visits
Taking tablets once daily
Breathing tests
Blood tests
Medical scans
Urine tests
Questionnaires
Can I take part?
You may be able to take part if you are aged over 40 years and older, and have a diagnosis of IPF and have received your diagnosis within the last 7 years.
In research studies, there are lots of different reasons why you may or may not be able to take part. These are known as inclusion and exclusion criteria (see list below). Only the research team will be able to fully determine whether you are able to take part in the study. You can withdraw at any point.
If you are not able to take part in this research study, there may be other opportunities for you to take part in different studies.
To find our more about other research opportunities visit our research finder main page.
Aged 40 years and over
Diagnosis of IPF within the last 7 years
You can take part if you are currently taking a stable dose of the antifibrotic medications, nintedanib or pirfenidone for at least 12 weeks
If you are not taking antifibrotic medications, you must not have taken them for at least 8 weeks before the study starts
There is a set criteria for lung function, but this will be assessed by the research team
Taking medication for pulmonary hypertension
Current smoker
History of cancer within the last 5 years
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Previous use of the study drug, bexotegrast
Acute exacerbation of IPF within the last 6 months
If you are likely to have a lung transplant during the study
What difference could taking part make?
Taking part in this study will help researchers to understand if bexotegrast could be an effective treatment option which slows down the rate of lung function decline.
Where does the study take place?
Study locations
Birmingham
Cambridge
Cottingham
Edinburgh
London
Londonderry
Oxford
Peterborough
Southampton
Wakefield
How to take part
Please speak to your medical team about taking part, or contact the research team directly, to express your interests.
For more information, you can take a look at the BEACON-IPF website.
Further information
This page is a summary which provides information about an opportunity to participate in research. More detailed information about the study can be found via the following the links and through contacting the research team.
If you have any questions about this research study, please speak to your medical team.
clintrials@pliantrx.comThis study is supported by
APF does not endorse or recommend any specific study. All responsibility for the study remains with the sponsors and investigators.
Every effort is made to keep these details up to date. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, please email research@actionpf.org