Precision Medicine

Develop a Multi-omic Signature for Accurate ILD Endotyping Integrated into Clinical Pathways

Lead: Prof Dan Chambers

Our group leads an international collaboration which has demonstrated differential biomarker profile in progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We have also demonstrated brain natriuetic peptide, fibulin-1 and IL-6 levels to be prognostic in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

We are now taking our biomarker work to a new level, performing complete profiling of all genes and proteins in single cells. Using integrative bioinformatics to define specific factors that control entire disease-causing pathways, we will focus on networks that can be targeted specifically to develop effective therapies.

  • We are developing a multi-omic signature for accurate pulmonary fibrosis endotyping.
  • We are using novel animal models to define drivers of pulmonary fibrosis and test new therapies.
  • We are integrating molecular endotyping into clinical care.

 

Development of Disease Modifying Treatments for Interstitial Lung Disease

Lead: Prof Dan Chambers

Available antifibrotic therapies do not reverse or halt progression of pulmonary fibrosis; they merely slow it. This muted efficacy reflects their non-specific modes of action and their targeting of the final, fibrotic, step in the pathogenic pathway.

Guided by an ever-improving understanding of pathogenesis, drug development has evolved across other complex diseases, with pulmonary fibrosis treatment poised to undergo a similar transformation.

We are developing a portfolio of novel precision-medicine therapeutics targeting upstream pulmonary fibrosis pathogenic events.
We are carrying out the TELO-SCOPE Clinical Trial (NCT04638517). The world-first, MRFF funded β€˜TELO-SCOPE’ study, is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating whether danazol reduces telomere attrition, leading to better lung function and improved survival in patients with short telomere-related pulmonary fibrosis.

We are conducting the SHIELD Clinical Trial: A world-first program of whole lung lavage (WLL) for silicosis, SHIELD is a randomised clinical trial assessing efficacy of WLL for treatment of silicosis, a type of pulmonary fibrosis driven by environmental exposure. This study provides hope for many workers who have developed silicosis, a potentially fatal form of pulmonary fibrosis.