Asthma and Allergy Clinical Research

A research study in which infants (5 to 16 month olds) with a history of eczema or a parent with physician-diagnosed asthma are given a daily capsule of the investigational medication Broncho-Vaxom® (a mixture of bacteria products) to see if it helps prevent development of wheezing illness or asthma.

Current Studies:

Oral Bacterial Extract for the Prevention of Wheezing Lower Respiratory Tract Illness Study (ORBEX)

For more information, please contact us at pediatricasthma@medicine.wisc.edu, or call us at (608) 263-3360 or toll free (866) WIS-CARE.

Or contact us via our online webform

In 2002, the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) created the Inner City Asthma Consortium (ICAC). ICAC is a multi-study, multi-center initiative to study the causes of the urban asthma epidemic that afflicts millions of children and to develop treatments to improve control of asthma in this population and for children in general. UW-Madison currently provides scientific direction and overall ICAC management services. UW-Madison staff in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics deliver technical support involving pulmonary function testing, laboratory sample processing, contracting, procurement and budgetary matters. ICAC is composed of the UW-Madison based Administrative Center, eleven clinical sites located in major U.S. cities, four basic science laboratories, including one at the UW-Madison, and a Statistical and Clinical Coordinating Center.

Find out more on the ICAC web page

For more information, please contact us at khernand@medicine.wisc.edu.

PrecISE, the Precision Interventions for Severe and/or Exacerbation-Prone Asthma Network, is a research study to understand how to treat different types of severe asthma. This study is currently recruiting people age 12 or older who experience asthma attacks or frequent asthma symptoms. Participants in the study will receive one or more study medicines for their severe asthma, in addition to their regularly prescribed asthma controller medication(s). Interventions are administered in a crossover manner with 16-week treatment periods followed by 8 to 16 week washout.

This study is sponsored by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). For more information about PrecISE or to see if you qualify, call us at 608-263-0524, email us at pulm-research@medicine.wisc.edu or fill out this questionnaire.

Find out more on the PreCISE study web page

The goal of CANOE is to determine how early-life environmental factors cause childhood asthma and allergies. Previous birth cohort studies have found that early-life environmental factors, such as allergies, pollutants, viruses and bacteria, contribute to the development of asthma and allergies. We are doing this research because there continues to be a strong need to understand the causes of asthma and allergies.

Find out more on the CANOE study web page

For more information, please contact us at canoe@medicine.wisc.edu

The goal of the SUNBEAM study is to learn more about factors that put very young children at higher risk for food allergies and eczema. This study will focus on risk factors that may be present before, during, and after birth and through the age of 3 years.

Find out more on the SUNBEAM study web page

For more information, please contact us at sunbeam@medicine.wisc.edu

The goal of the ECHO study is to understand the effects of a broad range of early environmental influences on child health and development. ECHO is dedicated to both learning what factors affect child health and to finding ways to enhance it. The ECHO Program studies five areas of health: pre-, peri- and postnatal (pregnancy and birth), upper and lower airway (breathing), obesity (body weight), neurodevelopment (brain development) and positive health (well-being).

Find out more on the ECHO study web page

For more information, please contact us at ECHO@medicine.wisc.edu

Childhood allergies and asthma are becoming more common worldwide. The MARI study, which stands for Microbes and Respiratory Illnesses, is looking at how environmental factors like living on farms or in cities impact children's health. Our research aims to understand why some kids are less likely to develop allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Find out more on the MARI study web page

For more information, please contact maristudy@show.wisc.edu.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to learn about how asthma influences brain function, especially activation of a type of immune cell in the brain called microglia. We know that asthma causes airway inflammation.

This reaction may lead to chest tightness, coughing and wheezing. We are doing this study to better understand how airway inflammation affects the brain.

We will look at whether inflammation is related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. We will also look at whether inflammation affects things like memory or attention.

We hope this will help us understand how asthma affects brain health and long-term risk for dementia.

Number of visits: 3

Compensation: up to $210

Procedures: The research team will ask you to come to our research center located within the UW Hospital and Clinics building for 3 visits. You will complete questionnaires, computer tasks, allergy skin test, and breathing tests. You will give a sputum sample once, and you will give a total of two blood samples. You will also complete brain imaging scans including PET/MRI and a separate MRI only scan.

For more information, visit the study website or fill out this questionnaire.

PrecISE, the Precision Interventions for Severe and/or Exacerbation-Prone Asthma Network, is a research study to understand how to treat different types of severe asthma. This study is currently recruiting people age 12 or older who experience asthma attacks or frequent asthma symptoms. Participants in the study will receive one or more study medicines for their severe asthma, in addition to their regularly prescribed asthma controller medication(s). Interventions are administered in a crossover manner with 16-week treatment periods followed by 8 to 16 week washout.

This study is sponsored by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). For more information about PrecISE or to see if you qualify, call us at 608-263-0524, email us at pulm-research@medicine.wisc.edu, or or fill out this questionnaire.

Find out more on the PreCISE study web page

Function of the Isolated Eosinophil in Asthma

The purpose of this study is to study how eosinophils contribute to airway irritation and changes in asthma.

For more information, please see the PreCISE study adolescent consent form.

If you are interested in this study, please contact us:

• pulm-research@medicine.wisc.edu
• (608) 263-0524
• Or fill out this questionnaire

The Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP) is an observational study looking to improve the understanding and development of better treatments for severe asthmatics. This study is enrolling both participants who have asthma, and those who do not have asthma. Study participation involves between 4 and 5 clinic visits over three years and 3 phone calls. Compensation up to $585 is provided.

This study is sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). For more information about PrecISE or to see if you qualify, call us at 608-263-0524 or email us at pulm-research@medicine.wisc.edu.

For more information, please see the SARP consent form or fill out this questionnaire.

The purpose of this study is to see if the investigational study drug, called VLP Peanut, is safe and well-tolerated in patients with peanut allergy.

You may be able to take part in this study if you:

• are 18 – 50 years old
• have a physician-diagnosed peanut allergy with a history of reactions after eating peanuts 

The study will last between 16 and 26 weeks and will require approximately 10 visits at the UW Hospital and Clinics Asthma & Allergy Research Unit.

All study-related care will be provided at no cost, and you may be compensated up to $1,350 for your time and participation.

If you would like to learn more about the study, please contact: pulm-research@medicine.wisc.edu or call 608-263-0524

Study flier (PDF)