Advanced research at Phoenix Children’s is improving our understanding of lung diseases. Thanks to our groundbreaking clinical trials, we are developing improved therapies for children with these conditions. 

In Phoenix Children’s Pulmonology division, this research translates into cutting-edge care. We offer our patients access to the most promising new treatment options available. Patients participating in these studies receive treatments that may otherwise be unavailable.

Our division collaborates with other departments and divisions at Phoenix Children’s, including the Center for Heart Care, Allergy & Immunology and the Center for Cancers & Blood Disorders (CCBD), to design multidisciplinary research studies for complex childhood disorders. Our respiratory experts also partner with outside institutions to conduct research and share data on a global scale. We are dedicated to discovering the best treatments and potential cures.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Research

Our research includes a study for patients with BPD and asthma, focusing on environmental factors that affect lung function. We are one of 46 centers worldwide participating in the BPD Collaborative. This collaborative seeks to develop and disseminate evidence that advances the care of patients with BPD by engaging in large patient registries and additional clinical studies.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Research

Phoenix Children’s received accreditation from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the comprehensive, high-quality care we provide through our CF program. As an accredited center, we actively participate in clinical trials, offering patients early access to progressive medications. We lead various initiatives to test interventions and pioneer new approaches to support individuals with CF.

We recently became a member of the CF Therapeutic Development Network (CFTDN), which will allow us access to many more CF trials for our patients and families. For example, we will participate in the REACH trials for CF patients who are unable to or don’t tolerate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulators (CFTRs). We will utilize data collected in this study to design future studies on this population. 

One ongoing study, IMPPACT, aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of infections in CF patients. The purpose of the study is to identify compounds that CF patients exhale to determine whether these compounds can detect certain airway infections. 

Additionally, we contribute to the national CF patient registry, where we collect and maintain data on enrolled patients. These data allow researchers to analyze:

  • Clinical outcomes
  • Medical practice patterns
  • Mortality and morbidity rates
  • Other factors related to CF care

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) Research

Phoenix Children’s has a well-established human performance lab where we routinely perform CPET. We participate in multiple CPET-related research projects in collaboration with the Division of Cardiology. Some of our noteworthy projects include exploring reasons for exercise intolerance in patients with long COVID, causes of exercise limitation in patients with pectus excavatum and investigations of congenital heart diseases.

Additional Research

Other areas of pulmonary research include:

  • Exploring how genetics may play a role in who develops BPD and how the disease affects the lungs
  • Testing new ways of monitoring oxygen saturation in infants who go home from the hospital on supplemental oxygen
  • Looking at the molecules in cells that influence whether a person develops diseases such as asthma and pulmonary hypertension

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.

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