title: Key observations from the NHLBI Asthma Clinical Research Network.
abstract: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN) recently completed its work after 20 years of collaboration as a multicentre clinical trial network. When formed, its stated mission was to perform multiple controlled clinical trials for treating patients with asthma by dispassionately examining new and existing therapies, and to rapidly communicate its findings to the medical community. The ACRN conducted 15 major clinical trials. In addition, clinical data, manual of operations, protocols and template informed consents from all ACRN trials are available via NHLBI BioLINCC (https://biolincc.nhlbi.nih.gov/studies/). This network contributed major insights into the use of inhaled corticosteroids, short-acting and long-acting ß-adrenergic agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and novel agents (tiotropium, colchicine and macrolide antibiotics). They also pioneered studies of the variability in drug response, predictors of treatment response and pharmacogenetics. This review highlights the major research observations from the ACRN that have impacted the current management of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health and University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. szeflers@njhealth.org
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Szefler
authors.forename: Vernon M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Chinchilli
authors.forename: Elliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: Loren Clark
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Denlinger
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lemanske
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D015415:Biomarkers; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide