Southampton joins cystic fibrosis innovation hub

Researchers in Southampton are part of a major new initiative to improve treatments for cystic fibrosis.

The Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU) is part of a new Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Innovation Hub led by the University of Manchester.

This will study triggers that cause ‘flare-ups’, and how best to treat them. These occur when the symptoms of the lung condition suddenly get worse.

It is one of four new CF Innovation Hubs that form a nationwide network. These are being jointly funded with £15m from the charities LifeArc and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The aim is to speed up the discovery of new tests, treatments and medical devices for people with cystic fibrosis.

Life-limiting disease

Cystic fibrosis is one of the UK's most common life-limiting inherited diseases. It affects over 11,000 people in the UK and nearly 200,000 people worldwide.

The condition causes mucus to build up in the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system. This can lead to chronic chest infections, lung inflammation and digestive problems.

For many people, managing their health involves a rigorous daily treatment regime. This includes physiotherapy and antibiotics.

Despite recent advances in research, there is still no known cure. The average age of death is just 33.

Understanding flare-ups

The research team at the University of Manchester Innovation Hub, including SCTU, will study the cause of flare-ups. Also called exacerbations, these are when the person's symptoms suddenly get worse.

They will do this by analysing blood, saliva, sputum and sweat samples from patients. They will also gather lung function test results and record symptoms via an app, and monitor pollution in homes.

Professor Alex Horsley is the Hub Director. He is a Consultant at the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. He is also Professor of Respiratory Medicine at The University of Manchester.

“This is an amazing opportunity to improve the lung health of people with CF in a way that we’ve never had the opportunity to do before,” he said.

“We hope our research will help us understand why people with CF get flare-ups and how to better prevent and treat these. This will lead to more effective, shorter and tailored or personalised treatment plans that will reduce exacerbations and the disruptions they cause to people’s lives.”

Developing personalised treatments

Researchers will also look at why people with cystic fibrosis sometimes respond differently to intravenous (IV) treatments for flare-ups. These are medicines given directly into the vein.

The SCTU will use the Hub’s initial results to develop a future trial of new treatment approaches.

Professor Gareth Griffiths is Director of the SCTU and co-investigator on the Manchester CF Innovation Hub.

“Through clinical trials, we hope to learn more about who responds to different treatments, and the causes behind that,” he said. “This could provide the evidence that would allow doctors to prescribe the most effective and personalised course of treatment for individual CF patients, reducing flare-ups and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.”

The SCTU is located at Southampton General Hospital, which has a good track record with CF trials. It is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre respiratory and allergy theme.

This makes it well placed to link with the CF Innovations Hub network and respiratory research sites to conduct these future trials.

A nationwide network

The CF Innovation Hub network will bring together world-leading experts from different fields. These include scientists, doctors, data scientists, patients, regulators and industry partners. It will provide a training ground for the next generation of scientists and clinicians.

It will be made up of four Innovation Hubs, led by the universities of Manchester, Liverpool, Cambridge and Imperial College London. Partners across the UK and overseas will also be involved.

The hubs have been guided by the insights and experiences of people with cystic fibrosis.