Alpha-1 Anti-trypsin Deficiency (AATD) is a genetic disease with lung and liver disease presentations. Presentations are variable in the heterozygous population, the most predominant genotype being PiMZ. The purpose of this study in PiMZ heterozygous patients is to examine the density of the lung as measured by chest computed tomography (CT) and determine if existing emphysema predicts changes in the rate of subsequent emphysema or changes in CT, serum or plasma biomarkers of interest. The overarching goal is to develop biomarkers pertinent to the PiMZ patient that can be used in interventional trials since lung function changes do not typically inform disease progression in AATD.
Progression of lung disease in patients with Alpha-1 Anti-trypsin deficiency is variable and while some patients may have stable lung function over many years, some progress and deteriorate rapidly. Currently there are no predictors that would help identify patient at risk of rapid deterioration in the PiMZ patient population. The aim of this study is to identify markers and features in CT imaging that may allow identification of these patients early before deterioration. To achieve this, the study will follow a cohort of patients with confirmed Alpha-1 Anti-trypsin deficiency (MZ genotype) and obstructive lung disease and measure a number of biomarkers in blood and sputum and obtain high resolution CT scans at baseline and again three years later. If the study is able to determine markers that allow the identification of patients at risk early, the investigator may be able to study early interventions in later studies and possibly find ways to avoid serious complications. Patients will be followed longitudinally to assess deterioration of lung function. Study procedures include: Review of medical history and medication history, blood draw, spriometry, induced sputum (at some sites), completion of questionnaires and CT Chest scan. All of the mentioned procedures above will be performed on enrollment and repeated at 18 months and 36 months, with the exception of monthly Alpha- net exacerbation questionnaires.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGUniversity of California- Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
RECRUITINGNational Jewish Health
Denver, Colorado, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGUniversity of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGColumbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGChange in lung density over three years
Change in lung density over three years determined by using the 15th percentile point (PERC-15) of Hounsfield units in inspiratory high resolution CT scans.
Time frame: 3 years
Decline of PERC-15 (15th percentile) over three years
Rate of decline of PERC-15 over three years. PERC-15 provides the Hounsfield unit point below which 15% of all voxels are distributed. The lowest threshold is -1,000 HU. The lower the PERC-15 values are, the more CT-quantified emphysema is present.
Time frame: 3 years
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