An observational study in Fibrosis, Pulmonary, sponsored by University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Recruiting at 1 site in Italy. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 80 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-04.
Sponsored by University of Modena and Reggio Emilia · Observational
This pilot, multicenter, interventional study investigates the expression of HOXB7 and its associated molecular pathway in lung tissue and blood-derived exosomes from patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and proteomic analysis via mass spectrometry (MS), the study aims to identify tissue and circulating biomarkers associated with fibrosis progression. The study compares different biopsy techniques (surgical vs. transbronchial cryobiopsy) and also includes a control group of patients undergoing lung resection for non-fibrotic conditions.
342 studies on the registry are indexed under Pulmonary Fibrosis; 98 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 80 is below the median of 150 across 118 observational studies indexed under Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Browse Pulmonary Fibrosis studies →University of Modena and Reggio Emilia is the lead sponsor of 65 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The study population includes adult patients aged 18 to 80 years with clinical suspicion of pulmonary fibrosis, admitted to the Center for Rare Lung Diseases (MaRP) at the University Hospital of Modena (AOU Policlinico di Modena), or to collaborating centers.
An additional control group will consist of adult patients undergoing lung resection for reasons unrelated to fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (e.g., neoplastic conditions), enrolled at the same institutions.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Refusal to sign
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Biopsy and archival tissue
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients undergoing surgical lung biopsy/criobiopsy for clinical purpose in the diagnostic work-up of ILD.
Procedure: Biopsy
Patients undergoing lung lobectomy for lung cancer suspicion.
Procedure: Biopsy
This is a non-therapeutic, observational sampling study. Procedures include: Lung tissue sampling via: Surgical biopsy Transbronchial cryobiopsy Explanted lungs from transplant patients Blood sampling for exosome analysis
HOXB7 Expression
HOXB7 gene and protein expression in lung biopsy samples
Time frame: Baseline
Assessment of RNA content
Comparison of RNA content between surgical and cryobiopsy samples Identification of HOXB7-positive LR-MSCs from fresh biopsy tissue Exosomal biomarkers associated with HOXB7 expression in serum Feasibility and yield of RNA-Seq and proteomics from fresh vs. snap-frozen tissues
Time frame: Baseline
Assessment of proteins content
Comparison of protein content between surgical and cryobiopsy samples
Time frame: Baseline
Started Jul 2023 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jul 2027, 48 months after the start.
Of 60 observational studies under Pulmonary Fibrosis, half reached primary completion within 41 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 24 and three quarters within 111. This study's planned 48 months is above that.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
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University of Modena and Reggio Emilia