Preventing asthma in young children using omalizumab treatment
Official title: Controlling and Preventing Asthma Progression and Severity in Kids with Omalizumab Extension (PARK-EXT)
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11134636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,250,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI179563-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 2-3 years who are at high risk for developing asthma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 3 years or those without a high risk for asthma may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phipatanakul, Wanda — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Phipatanakul, Wanda
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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.