Pulse-CF Innovation Hub
Precision in Understanding and Preventing Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis
In a nutshell:
The Pulse-CF Innovation Hub, led by Professor Alex Horsley at the University of Manchester, aims to better understand the causes and triggers of exacerbations, and why people respond differently to treatment, in the hopes of improving how these flare-ups are prevented and managed for each person with CF.
What’s the problem?
Although the new CFTR modulator medicines have improved the lives of many people with CF, approximately one quarter of all CF adults still require hospital treatment every year if they have a flare-up (exacerbation) of lung infection.
The aim of this programme is to understand why individuals develop exacerbations and how to personalise treatments for them.
How is it being solved?
There are two clinical studies that are central to this Innovation Hub.
The CF-Tracker Study
By sharing samples, recording results at home, and measuring their home air pollution levels, people with CF will help us study what triggers these flare-ups and who is most affected. You can find out more by visiting the CF-Tracker Study website and watching this short animation video. If you're interested in taking part in this study, you can also visit our CF Trials Tracker page for more information.
The UNIFIED-CF Study
This study will collect information around the different responses of people with CF to intra-venous (IV) treatments for exacerbations. It will be run jointly with the Trailfinder-CF Innovation Hub and informed by the CF-Tracker study (above). You can find out more by visiting the UNIFIED-CF Study website.
Several scientific workstreams will run through both clinical studies, looking in more detail at different biological mechanisms linked to exacerbations and treatment outcomes. This will include studying inflammation, immune responses, the airway microbiome, environmental factors and exploring novel diagnostics.
How will this make a difference?
The results of these studies will be essential in helping us find different ways of preventing and treating exacerbations.
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Who's involved?
Innovation Hub Director
Professor Alex Horsley, University of Manchester
Innovation Hub Project Manager
Sharon Chau, University of Manchester
Co-Investigators
Professor Michael Tunney, Queen’s University Belfast
Professor Andrew Jones, University of Liverpool
Dr Robert Lord, Manchester Adult CF Centre
Dr Edward Emmott, University of Liverpool
Ms Laura Beattie (person with CF)
Dr Elizabeth Mann, University of Manchester
Professor Stephen Fowler, University of Manchester
Dr Gisli Einarsson, Queen’s University Belfast
Dr Eva Caamaño-Gutiérrez, University of Liverpool
Professor Gordon McFiggans, University of Manchester
Professor Gareth Griffiths, University of Southampton
Dr Shaz Ahmad, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Mike Brockhurst, University of Manchester
Dr Fiona Whelan, University of Nottingham
Dr Deirdre Gilpin, Queen’s University Belfast
Dr Laura Sherrard, Queen’s University Belfast
Dr Rosemary Maher, University of Liverpool
Dr Thomas Bannan, University of Manchester
Professor Andrew Jones, Manchester Adult CF Centre
Dr Jamie Duckers, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Dr Simon Doe, Newcastle University
Professor Daniel Peckham, University of Leeds
Dr Peter Barry, Manchester Adult CF Centre
Dr Tim Felton, University of Manchester
Professor Alan Smyth, Queen’s University Belfast
Professor Scott Bell, The Prince Charles Hospital
Professor Patrick Flume, Medical University of South Carolina
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Updates
The CF-Tracker Study will be opening for recruitment in Spring 2025. If you’re interested in taking part in this study or would like to find out more, please visit the study page on our CF Trials Tracker.
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Resources and links
For more information, up to date news or to get in touch with the Pulse-CF Innovation Hub team, visit their website:
You can keep up to date with the Pulse-CF team on the following social media channels:
Bluesky: @pulse-cf.bsky.social
Instagram: @cfpul.se
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