Bronchiectasis and COPD in Smokers: AI CT Tools and Proteomics to Predict Progression
Official title: Clinical implications and Proteomics of Bronchiectasis Progression in Smokers
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11296938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses AI-powered CT imaging and proteomics to understand how bronchiectasis progresses in adults who smoke and have COPD, with the goal of identifying who is at higher risk for worsening lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $865,071 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173017-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older who smoke and have COPD, with or without known bronchiectasis, and who are part of the COPDGene or ECLIPSE cohorts or similar follow-up programs.
✕Less likely to help
People without COPD who do not smoke or do not have bronchiectasis are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
If you have COPD and bronchiectasis or are at risk, researchers will use advanced AI tools to analyze chest CT images to measure bronchiectasis changes over time. They will also studyproteomic biomarkers in blood or other samples to see who might experience faster airway enlargement and worse outcomes. The study will look at data from two large groups of smokers with COPD to see how imaging and biomarkers together predict progression and guide care. Participation would involve existing imaging and samples collected in these cohorts, with follow-up scans and analyses helping tailor future treatments. The work aims to translate imaging and biomarker signals into practical ways to monitor and manage bronchiectasis in COPD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to earlier identification of patients at risk for rapid bronchiectasis progression and inform personalized monitoring and treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging and proteomics work in COPD have shown promise; this study builds on existing cohorts to test AI-driven measurements and biomarkers.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diaz, Alejandro — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Diaz, Alejandro
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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.