Imperial College London

Academic Institute

Clinical Sponsor is not required

Unknown

Yes

NIBDAPC_2025_0047

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease, often caused by smoking. People with COPD are also at higher risk of heart disease, but the reasons for this link are not fully understood. Standard treatment involves inhalers with two types of airway-opening (bronchodilator) drugs called LAMA’s (long-acting-muscarinic-receptor-antagonists) and LABA’s (long-acting-beta2-agonists).For patients with more severe COPD or frequent flare-ups, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are added to make a ‘triple therapy’ which can reduce flare-ups and improve survival. Blood vessels are lined by cells called endothelial cells, which help keep the heart and blood vessels healthy. In COPD, these cells age more quickly and become less able to repair blood vessel damage. Researchers have found that people with COPD treated with ICS alongside bronchodilators had healthier blood vessel cells than those on bronchodilators alone. In this study, we are recruiting sixty COPD participants who are not currently on ICS treatment. Half will receive bronchodilators only (LABA/LAMA), and half will receive triple therapy (ICS/LAMA/LABA) for 12 weeks. We will assess blood vessel stiffness and cell ageing before and after treatment, to see if ICS can help protect blood vessels and reduce the risk of heart disease in COPD.

This study aims to find out if ICS treatment slows down the ageing of these cells and improves their ability to protect blood vessels. The research question is therefore a priority and could have benefit in preventing heart disease in patients with COPD. By preserving vascular health, patients may experience better management of their respiratory symptoms, fewer hospital admissions related to cardiovascular issues and an overall improvement in daily functioning and quality of life. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have not only breathing problems but also heart and blood vessel diseases, known as cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in COPD patients. Recent large studies show that patients with COPD who use inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have a lower risk of mortality, mainly due to fewer heart-related events. However, we don’t fully understand how ICS treatment helps prevent heart problems in these patients.

Public Health Research

11/06/2025

Not applicable

Not applicable

One-off

TRE