Treatments for lung damage from phosgene gas

Identification and optimization of medical countermeasures for phosgene inhalation injuries

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11170627

This project develops drug approaches to protect and treat lungs after phosgene gas inhalation, aimed at people who suffer severe lung injury from such exposures.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11170627 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are testing whether existing blood-pressure drugs called ACE inhibitors and experimental drugs called soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors can reduce lung swelling and inflammation caused by phosgene gas. They use laboratory experiments and animal models to measure survival, fluid leak into the lungs, and inflammatory cell counts while refining doses and timing. The team will optimize drug combinations or formulations that show the best protection and recovery of lung function. If results look promising, this preclinical work could guide future clinical trials to treat people after accidental or intentional phosgene inhalation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who have inhaled phosgene and developed acute lung injury or ARDS would be the ideal candidates for these countermeasures.

Not a fit: People with chronic lung diseases unrelated to acute chemical inhalation, or those exposed to different toxic gases, may not benefit from these specific treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these treatments could lower lung swelling, improve breathing, and reduce deaths after phosgene inhalation.

How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies show ACE inhibitors and sEH inhibitors can improve survival and reduce lung injury in phosgene and ARDS models, but human effectiveness remains unproven.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.
Conditions Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeAdult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
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.