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Our department participates in a number of national and international clinical research trials for patients with immunodeficiency and allergy.
If you are interested in being part of a research trial, please mention it to the team at your next appointment. The department keeps a register of patients who have consented to be contacted for future research projects.
For further information about getting involved with research at University Hospitals Plymouth, please see the following Plymouth Research and Development department links:
Plymouth Research and Development, Information for the Public
Plymouth Research and Development, Public Involvement in Health Research
Plymouth Research and Development, Participating in a Clinical Trial
Plymouth Research and Development, Privacy Notice for Research Patients
Some of the trials the Clinical Immunology & Allergy department is involved in are described below:
BLU-263 (also known as elenestinib) is a new drug that is being developed for treating ISM. BLU-263 is in a group of drugs called “KIT inhibitors” that inhibit a DNA mutation called KIT D816V. BLU-263 inhibits an enzyme produced by this mutation and there is a good reason to believe that it will reduce the likelihood of mast cells releasing chemicals in response to triggers and also reduce the number of susceptible mast cells - hence preventing your symptoms from occurring. It is not yet approved for treating ISM. The goal of this research study is to find a safe and acceptable dose in people with ISM.
The purpose of this trial is to find out about the safety and efficacy of navenibart for the prevention of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) attacks.
Beekeepers experience multiple bee stings each year. Many of these beekeepers (25-60%) become sensitized to bee venom through the production of specific antibodies that target the bee venom. Although these antibodies are important in the triggering of an allergic reaction only a small number of sensitised beekeepers go on to have an allergic reaction with symptoms away from the site of the sting. These reactions can be severe and are known as anaphylactic reactions
Recently some individuals have been stung by Asian Hornets, we are undertaking a sub study to investigate immune responses following Asian Hornet stings. The study investigates why some individuals develop severe allergic symptoms after stings while others do not. It explores factors in the blood that protect sensitised individuals from having anaphylactic reactions - meaning that despite being sensitised they are tolerant and do not react to subsequent stings.
There is a lack of research into quality of life or mental health in immunodeficiency. There is also limited research about the impact of COVID-19 and the consequences of interventions to reduce COVID-19 transmission (such as lockdowns) on mental health and quality of life.
Understanding the impact of this is important for informing patient-centred care, policy development and decision making. Therefore, this project aims to describe the quality of life and mental health of patients with primary or secondary immunodeficiency compared to healthy population norms, and the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life and mental health of these patients.
The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and tolerability of TL-895. There are 2 parts planned for this study, Part A will test different doses of TL-895 to identify the recommended dose for Part B. Part B will continue to test if the recommended dose is a tolerable and effective treatment.
The purpose of this clinical research study is to learn more about the use of the investigational medication, deucrictibant, for the prevention and treatment of Acquired Angioedema due to C1 Inhibitor Deficiency (AAE-C1INH) attacks. Investigational medication means that it has not yet been approved in any country for the treatment of AAE-C1INH.
The aim of this project is to compile clinical and laboratory data on all patients with immunodeficiency disorders in order to improve methods for diagnosis, provide a more helpful classification for better prediction of disease progress (prognosis) and for more efficient means of treatment. This will include patients thought to have a secondary immunodeficiency (due to medicines or underlying health problems). We plan for this database to remain active over patients’ lifetime, leading to better understanding of these disorders so that the lives of patients with immunodeficiencies will be improved.
