The aim of this pilot study is to determine the effects of albuterol on the composition of immune cells in the bloodstream for possible future use in patients with neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that typically affects the nerves of children. Sometimes the treatment required for neuroblastoma is an autologous stem cell transplant, where patients who are experiencing neuroblastoma will undergo an expansion of their blood system and collect their peripheral blood to later infuse back into them after chemotherapy and/or radiation. However, up to 14% of individuals experience complications with this procedure. Research has shown that certain drugs that cause similar effects on the body to that of acute exercise can elicit a more favorable donation. However, these drugs are very costly. Albuterol, on the other hand, is a regularly used drug that may have a similar effect on the body as adrenaline and is used to treat individuals who are experiencing respiratory airway distress. The benefit of albuterol is that it can be administered through inhalation, further reducing patient burden. The aim of this pilot study is to determine the effects of albuterol on the composition of immune cells in the bloodstream. Five healthy volunteers (age 21-44 years) will be recruited to participate in this study. Each participant will donate a 6ml blood sample before and during a 20-minute continuous albuterol nebulization through an IV catheter. During the last 10 minutes of the nebulization, participants will submit to another 6mL blood draw.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Participants will inhale nebulized albuterol at a concentration of 2.5mg diluted in 3mL of normal saline for 20 minutes.
University of Arizona Cancer Center
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Quantification of NK Cells (CD3-/CD56+).
Investigators will collect a 6mL blood sample into EDTA anti-coagulant tubes before and during the last five minutes of an albuterol nebulization to assess the quantification in both absolute number and proportion of NK cells (CD3-/CD56+) using a MACSQuant flow cytometer and subsequent analysis on FlowLogic Software (v7.2.1). The last five minutes of nebulization of blood sample will be directly compared to the pre nebulization blood sample in the same participants in the same research arm.
Time frame: One year
Quantification of Gamma Delta T Cells (CD4-CD8-).
Investigators will collect a 6mL blood sample into EDTA anti-coagulant tubes before and during the last five minutes of an albuterol nebulization to assess the quantification in both absolute number and proportion of Gamma Delta T cells (CD3+/CD4-/CD8-) using a MACSQuant flow cytometer and subsequent analysis on FlowLogic Software (v7.2.1). The last five minutes of nebulization of blood sample will be directly compared to the pre nebulization blood sample in the same participants in the same research arm.
Time frame: One year
Quantification of Gamma T cell subsets (CD3+/CD4/CD8).
Investigators will collect a 6mL blood sample into EDTA anti-coagulant tubes before and during the last five minutes of an albuterol nebulization to assess the quantification in both absolute number and proportion of T-cell subsets (CD3+/CD4/CD8) using a MACSQuant flow cytometer and subsequent analysis on FlowLogic Software (v7.2.1). The last five minutes of nebulization of blood sample will be directly compared to the pre nebulization blood sample in the same participants in the same research arm.
Time frame: One year
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.