Aerodigestive health after World Trade Center exposure: biomarkers to guide treatment
Aerodigestive Disease in the World Trade Center Exposed FDNY Cohort: Validation of Biomarkers and Defining Risk to Tailor Therapy
This project looks for blood and tissue markers to help doctors treat breathing and reflux problems in FDNY firefighters exposed to World Trade Center dust.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175237 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you were an FDNY responder exposed to World Trade Center dust, the team would review your medical history and symptoms, perform breathing and reflux tests, and analyze blood or other samples for biological markers. They plan to link those markers to conditions like obstructive airway disease, GERD, and Barrett’s esophagus to better describe who is at higher risk. The work will validate markers that could point clinicians toward more personalized treatment and monitoring. Results will be used to refine care recommendations for the WTC-exposed firefighter group.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are FDNY firefighters or similarly WTC-exposed rescue and recovery workers with a history of exposure and symptoms of reflux or obstructive airway disease.
Not a fit: People without WTC exposure or without aerodigestive symptoms, and patients outside the FDNY cohort, are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow earlier detection and more tailored treatment of reflux- and lung-related problems in WTC-exposed firefighters, potentially preventing complications like Barrett’s esophagus.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has linked WTC exposure to GERD, airway disease, and Barrett’s changes, but using validated biomarkers to guide personalized therapy in this group remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nolan, Anna — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Nolan, Anna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.