Using advanced MRI to improve asthma treatment outcomes with mepolizumab
Official title: Hyperpolarized xenon MRI in treatment of severe asthma by mepolizumab: toward earlier detection of individual patient responses
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-10891494 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special type of MRI to see how well the asthma treatment mepolizumab works for different people, hoping to find better ways to personalize asthma care and improve treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $387,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL152288-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10891494 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with severe, refractory asthma who are considering or currently receiving treatment with mepolizumab.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild or well-controlled asthma may not benefit from this research as it focuses on severe cases requiring specialized treatment.
What this research studies
This research investigates how hyperpolarized xenon MRI can be used to detect and predict individual responses to the asthma treatment mepolizumab. By enhancing the imaging of lung function, the study aims to identify specific biomarkers that indicate how well a patient is responding to this biologic therapy. Currently, treatment decisions are based on general symptoms and exacerbation counts, but this approach seeks to provide a more personalized evaluation. The goal is to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce healthcare costs associated with severe asthma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized asthma treatments, improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of hyperpolarized MRI is a novel approach in asthma treatment evaluation, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other respiratory conditions, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomen, Robert Paul — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Thomen, Robert Paul
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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.