Allergy and immunology research at Phoenix Children’s is helping us understand common allergic conditions, including asthma and food allergies, as well as rare primary immunodeficiencies. Our research translates into cutting-edge care, giving patient families access to the most promising new treatment options.
We work with several partners, including universities, pharmaceutical sponsors, foundations and research institutes such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to bring innovative research opportunities to families in our Allergy & Immunology Clinic.
Asthma Research
Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in children. We continue to study ways to prevent and treat this disease.
Our goal is to study if two years of treatment with Xolair® (omalizumab) will prevent the progression of asthma or decrease asthma severity in preschool-age, allergic children with a history of wheezing. Omalizumab blocks the body’s response to allergens such as dust, animal dander and pollen. We already use this medication to treat asthma in children 6 and older.
In this trial, participants use omalizumab (or its placebo) during a two-year treatment period. We follow participants for two years after treatment to assess rates of asthma diagnosis.
This three-year study will assess the safety, efficacy and tolerability of Broncho-Vaxom® to prevent wheezing and lower respiratory tract illness in young children. Broncho-Vaxom® contains inactive components of various bacteria that are often responsible for respiratory infections. In this study, we give Broncho-Vaxom® (or a placebo) to high-risk infants with a history of eczema or a parent or sibling with asthma for 10 consecutive days each month over two years. Though 43 million children worldwide use Broncho-Vaxom®, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it.
The Efficacy Assessment in recurrent wheezinG chiLdrEn) EAGLE study will assess the efficacy and safety of daily OM-85 (Broncho-Vaxom®) in young children with recurrent wheezing. Broncho-Vaxom® contains inactive components of various bacteria that are often responsible for respiratory infections. This medicine reduces and prevents inflammation and infection in the lungs, which leads to wheezing and breathing difficulties.
Children age 6 months to 5 years with recurrent wheezing receive a daily dose of OM-85 (or its placebo) during a six-month treatment period. The study will determine if this treatment reduces the number of wheezing or asthma-like episodes.
Food Allergy and Eosinophilic Esophagitis Research
Much like asthma, food allergy is a common chronic childhood condition. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a food allergy in the esophagus. At Phoenix Children’s, researchers seek ways to better diagnose and treat these food-driven conditions.
Children who are at least 4 years old with an IgE mediated cow’s milk allergy without EoE can participate in prescreening for this milk oral immunotherapy (OIT) study. The study aims to assess whether dupilumab – as an adjunct to milk OIT – improves milk desensitization and safety compared to a placebo. All children in the study will receive milk OIT.
Children may also enroll in the optional companion study, where we administer esophageal string tests to examine esophageal inflammation.
Allergy-related diseases are increasing at an alarming rate and the environmental causes are unknown. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic disease that impairs esophageal function. Detergents used in common household products – such as toothpaste and dish detergent – may be a key factor.
This study will help us understand environmental exposures that disrupt barriers and cause inflammation. We will expose children to regular toothpaste and measure the barrier function of the lining of the mouth.
Additional Research
Other areas of our allergy and immunology research include:
- Collecting donated thymus tissue for future research and therapeutic development benefiting children born with immunodeficiencies due to a lacking or poorly functioning thymus
- Creating a database and sample repository from patients who have allergic or immunologic disorders
- Describing the immunologic characteristics in patients with various rare, inborn errors of immunities
- Tracking drug allergy reactions, testing or challenge outcomes through a patient database
Find a Research Study
Patients and families can use the Find a Research Study tool or speak with their child’s doctor to learn about enrollment in current and upcoming clinical research studies at Phoenix Children’s.