Treatment options for pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis
Official title: Streamlined Treatment of Pulmonary Exacerbations in Pediatrics Randomized Controlled Trial (STOP PEDS RCT)
Run by University of Washington, the Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center · NCT06654752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing two different ways to treat lung flare-ups in kids with cystic fibrosis to see which method works better and helps avoid giving antibiotics when they’re not needed.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 430 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Washington, the Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 33 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 32 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 28, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | November 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06654752 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include children aged 3 to 18 years diagnosed with cystic fibrosis who are on highly effective modulator therapy.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are not eligible for highly effective modulator therapy or those who do not meet the specific inclusion criteria may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The STOP PEDS RCT is a multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial that evaluates the safety and efficacy of two antibiotic treatment strategies for managing outpatient pulmonary exacerbations in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. Participants aged 3 to 18 will be assigned to either an immediate antibiotics group or a tailored therapy group, where antibiotics are only administered if specific worsening symptoms occur. The study aims to determine the long-term and short-term outcomes of these treatment approaches over a 12-month period, focusing on reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure while effectively managing exacerbations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective and personalized treatment strategies for managing pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in similar approaches, but this specific trial is designed to evaluate a novel treatment strategy in the pediatric cystic fibrosis population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 1. For main cohort and non-HEMT cohort: age 6 to \<19 years 2. For preschool cohort: age 3 to \<6 years 2. Documentation of a CF diagnosis as evidenced by one or more clinical features consistent with the CF phenotype and one or more of the following criteria: 1. sweat chloride ≥ 60 mEq/liter 2. two disease-causing variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductive regulator (CFTR) gene 3. Written informed consent (and assent when applicable) obtained from participant or participant's legal representative and ability of participant to comply with the requirements of the study 4. Highly Effective Modulator Therapy 1. For main cohort and preschool cohort: Taking HEMT for at least 3 months at enrollment 2. For non-HEMT cohort: not eligible for HEMT based on CFTR genotype or eligible but not taking for at least 3 months and no plans to start HEMT in the next year, and also not taking tezacaftor-ivacaftor or lumacaftor-ivacaftor for at least 3 months 5. For main cohort and non-HEMT cohort: able to perform acceptable and reproducible spirometry 6. For main cohort and non-HEMT cohort: ppFEV1 ≥ 50% predicted at enrollment based on the Global lung Initiative (GLI) reference equations 7. Ability to receive text messages and access the internet Exclusion Criteria: 1. Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the individual or the quality of the data 2. Receiving an acute course of oral or IV antibiotics at the time of enrollment or within the 14 days prior to enrollment. Individuals may be re-screened ≥21 days after completion of antibiotics if they are at their baseline state of health, per self-report 3. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids at enrollment or within the 14 days prior to enrollment. Individuals may be re- screened ≥21 days after completion of systemic corticosteroids if they are at their clinical baseline, per self-report 4. History of solid organ transplant 5. History of positive culture for Mycobacterium abscessus in the 12 months prior to enrollment 6. Treatment with antibiotics for any non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) at enrollment 7. Three or more IV antibiotic-treated PEx in the 12 months prior to enrollment 8. Treatment with chronic oral antibiotics other than azithromycin at enrollment 9. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in the 12 months prior to enrollment
Where it's running
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The Children's Hospital Alabama & University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Tucson Cystic Fibrosis Center
Tucson, Arizona, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles & Anton Yelchin Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting -
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting -
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting
Show 27 more locations
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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago & Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting -
Riley Hospital for Children & Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Recruiting -
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, United States Recruiting -
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Boston Children's Hospital & Harvard University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting -
The Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center & University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting -
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
St. Louis Children's Hospital & Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
University of Rochester Medical Center Strong Memorial
Rochester, New York, United States Recruiting -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia & University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC & University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
University of Texas Southwestern & Children's Health
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Vermont Children's Hospital & University of Vermont Medical Center
Burlington, Vermont, United States Recruiting -
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, United States Recruiting -
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting -
Children's Wisconsin & Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting -
British Columbia Children's Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting -
The Hospital for Sick Children & Toronto Canada CF Centre Pediatrics
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting -
Rady Children's Hospital at University of California San Diego
San Diego, California, United States Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: D. B. Sanders, MD, MS — Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Erika Enright
- Email: eenright@uw.edu
- Phone: 206-897-1922
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This project will collect clinical, imaging, and biological data from adults with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, or interstitial lung disease to try to identify disease subtypes and markers that could guide more personalized care.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.