Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition seen in smokers. This disease carries a high rate of morbidity and mortality in the western world.
Interestingly, there are only 18-20% of smokers out of 100% that will get the disease. The rest do not, which is surprising. The Study we are undertaking at Southampton General Hospital will involve looking at various parameters such as lung functions, proteins in sputum and differential gene expressions in the lung tissue. Data collected from these variables will then be collated and analysed.
If you are a current smoker, smoking a minimum of 10 cigarettes per day for at least 10 years, aged between 18-75, either male or female we would like to hear from you.
The aim of the study is to identify early disease markers that can help predict which are at risk of developing COPD. If you find this Research Study interesting and would like to volunteer please contact our Clinical Trial Support Co-ordinator on (023) 8079 4343, alternatively you can fax her on (023) 8079 6866 or e-mail, elw@soton.ac.uk. If you would like to discuss this further you can also contact Dr Dinesh Bagmane (Clinical Research Fellow) on (023) 8079 4155, e-mail, db8@soton.ac.uk or Mr Gilbert Angco (Clinical Research Nurse) on (023) 8079 4479 or e-mail ga1@soton.ac.uk. 

Study Recruitment
The team in the Asthma Inflammation Research (AIR) department at Southampton General Hospital are always looking for volunteers who may be interested in taking part in Asthma research. There are several studies in progress at the moment, but one in particular is causing a great deal of excitement. the study involves a weekly injection (for 12 weeks) of a drug called ETANERCEPT and is aimed at moderate to severe asthmatics who take high dose inhaled steriods (i.e. Flixotide, Becitide, Serotide) and/or oral steroids.
Etanercept is a Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor. TNF is one of the chemical messengers that are involved in the inflammatory process. During a normal response, TNF attaches to certain cells throughout the body, including those in the lungs. This in turn 'switches on' the cells, causing them to release chemicals than can lead to inflammation. Etanercept is similar to a naturally produced protein and works by binding to and inactivating some TNF molecules before they trigger inflammation, therefore reducing infalammatory symptoms.
Etanercept is already widely and successfully used in the treatment of Crohn's Disease, Rhuematoid Arthritis and Psoriasis. In a previous study using this drug for asthma it was found that the participants were able to reduce their oral steroid and salbutamol doses.
If you are interested in learning more about this treatment and/or taking part in this treatment trial please contact: Lesley-Ann Vickers, Clinical research Nurse, telephone (023) 8079 4597 e-mail lv@soton.ac.uk 

Breathing techniques for asthma
Many people with asthma would prefer not to rely on medication to control their symptoms. Because of this, many complementary and alternative therapies can seem very attractive, but there is very little scientific evidence to show that they are effective. One form of non-drug therapy is the use of various breathing techniques e.g. physiotherapy, yoga and Buteyko breathing. The Department of Health has awarded Dr Anne Bruton (from the University of Southampton) a 3 year Fellowship to look into the mechanisms behind some of these breathing tests. She is hoping to recruit 100 people with asthma and 50 healthy people during 2004. If you would be interested in taking part, or would like any more information about the study, please contact Anne on e-mail abt@soton.ac.uk or telephone Alison Collins (research Nurse) on 023 8079 4989 (please quote LREC number 130/03/t). 

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