Preventing asthma in young children using omalizumab treatment

Controlling and Preventing Asthma Progression and Severity in Kids with Omalizumab Extension (PARK-EXT)

NIH-funded research Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11134636

This study is looking at whether a medication called omalizumab can help prevent asthma and make it less severe in young children aged 2 to 3 who are at high risk, and it will involve giving some kids the medicine and others a placebo to see how it works.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11134636 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of omalizumab, an anti-IgE medication, in preventing asthma and reducing its severity in high-risk children aged 2-3 years. The study involves a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 200 participants, where some will receive the treatment while others will receive a placebo. Researchers will analyze nasal samples to understand how the treatment affects gene expression related to immune responses and asthma development. The goal is to determine if this treatment can lead to long-term benefits even after the medication is stopped.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 2-3 years who are at high risk for developing asthma.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 3 years or those without a high risk for asthma may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence and severity of asthma in young children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using anti-IgE therapies for asthma management, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.