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RecruitingNCT07823842T2AIRUpdated Sep 16, 2026

T2AIR: Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Biologics Targeting Type 2 Inflammation in Asthma and COPD

An observational study in Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), sponsored by Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-16.

Sponsored by Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jul 2026; still recruiting 3 months later.
Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
538
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This prospective, real-world observational study (T2AIR Study) evaluates the long-term efficacy and safety of six biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation - omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab, and depemokimab - in patients with chronic airway diseases, including asthma and COPD under routine clinical practice in China.

The primary objective is to determine the annualized exacerbation rate (AER) over 12 months of treatment. Secondary objectives include time to first exacerbation, frequency of severe exacerbations, improvements in symptom control and quality of life (using disease-specific questionnaires), lung function (FEV₁, FVC), airway inflammatory biomarkers (FeNO, blood eosinophils, serum IgE), oral corticosteroid (OCS) sparing effect in asthma patients, and treatment persistence.

Safety outcomes will assess the incidence, types, and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Exploratory endpoints include high-resolution CT (HRCT)-based imaging markers of airway remodeling and the development of deep learning-based multimodal predictive models integrating clinical, biomarker, and radiomics data to support personalized treatment. Additionally, blood, sputum, and urine samples will be collected for translational research to explore underlying mechanisms and predictors of biologic response.

This study aims to generate robust real-world evidence on the effectiveness and safety of Type 2-targeted biologics across the broad spectrum of chronic airway diseases in a diverse Chinese patient population.

Read the detailed description

Chronic airway diseases, encompassing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are heterogeneous disorders characterized by chronic airway inflammation, persistent airflow limitation, and/or airway hyperresponsiveness. These conditions commonly present with chronic cough, sputum production, and dyspnea. Acute exacerbations can be life-threatening and represent a leading global cause of disability and premature mortality among chronic non-communicable diseases.

Although inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) combined with long-acting bronchodilators (LABA/LAMA) form the mainstay of treatment, a substantial proportion of patients - approximately 5-10% with asthma and selected COPD patients experience severe or refractory disease. These patients suffer from recurrent exacerbations, progressive lung function decline, impaired quality of life, and serious complications associated with long-term oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, including osteoporosis and increased infection risk.

Type 2 (T2-high) inflammation, driven by eosinophil activation and the IL-4/IL-5/IL-13 signaling pathways, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of most severe asthma cases and a significant subset of COPD patients. In recent years, biologics targeting key mediators of Type 2 inflammation - including IgE, IL-5/IL-5Rα, IL-4Rα, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) - have emerged as precision therapeutic options for patients inadequately controlled on standard therapy.

The six biologics evaluated in this study are:

  1. Omalizumab (anti-IgE monoclonal antibody)
  2. Mepolizumab (anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody)
  3. Benralizumab (anti-IL-5Rα monoclonal antibody)
  4. Dupilumab (anti-IL-4Rα monoclonal antibody, blocking IL-4/IL-13 signaling)
  5. Tezepelumab (anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, effective in both T2-high and T2-low phenotypes)
  6. Depemokimab (ultra-long-acting anti-IL-5 Fc-fusion protein enabling twice-yearly dosing) Current international guidelines (GINA 2026 and GOLD 2026) recommend these Type 2-targeted biologics as add-on therapy for moderate-to-severe patients with poor control despite optimized standard care, with selection often guided by biomarkers such as blood eosinophils (EOS) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). While these agents have demonstrated efficacy in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for severe asthma and eosinophilic COPD, robust real-world evidence remains limited, long-term use, diverse phenotypes, elderly patients, and those with multiple comorbidities. Moreover, data specific to Chinese populations are scarce. This prospective real-world observational study aims to address these evidence gaps.
02

Conditions studied

  • Asthma
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Keywords

  • asthma
  • copd
  • bronchiectasis
  • ABPA
  • Biologics
  • Type 2 inflammation
03

In context

Asthma

4,841 studies on the registry are indexed under Asthma; 600 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 538 is above the median of 158 across 1,250 observational studies indexed under Asthma.

Browse Asthma studies →

Lead sponsor

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China is the lead sponsor of 160 studies on the registry; 95 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Adult patients with chronic airway diseases (asthma, COPD) who have received biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation

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.

Inclusion criteria

Subjects must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years; 2. Confirmed diagnosis of at least one of the following chronic airway diseases:

  1. Asthma: Diagnosed according to the 2025 GINA guidelines, with typical variable respiratory symptoms (wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or cough) and objective evidence of variable expiratory airflow limitation (positive bronchodilator reversibility test, positive bronchial provocation test, average daily PEF variability >10%, improvement in lung function after ICS treatment, or significant variability in lung function between two visits).
  2. (COPD): Diagnosed according to the 2026 GOLD guidelines, with symptoms of dyspnea, chronic cough, or sputum production, and/or history of exposure to risk factors, and post-bronchodilator /FVC \< 70%.

3. Meets clinical indications for biologic therapy as judged by a respiratory or allergy specialist according to current guidelines:

  1. Asthma: Poor control despite optimized high-dose ICS-LABA therapy, presence of allergic or eosinophilic inflammatory biomarkers, or severe/ disease requiring maintenance oral (OCS).
  2. COPD: Frequent exacerbations despite triple inhaled therapy (ICS + LABA + LAMA), with blood eosinophil count (EOS) ≥ 300/μL and chronic bronchitis phenotype.

4. The treating respiratory or allergy specialist has decided to initiate or switch to one of the following approved biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation, based on 2025 GINA and 2026 GOLD guidelines: omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab, or depemokimab (tezepelumab may be used in both Type 2 and non-Type 2 inflammation).

5. Able and willing to provide written and commit to at least 12 months of follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:

  1. Presence of severe or uncontrolled pulmonary or systemic diseases (e.g., active , disease) or active infectious respiratory diseases (e.g., active pulmonary tuberculosis or infectious pneumonia);
  2. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period;
  3. Known history of or allergy to any component of the planned biologic agent;
  4. Expected less than 12 months;
  5. Any other condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes the subject unsuitable for participation (e.g., poor compliance or inability to complete follow-up).
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(9)

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.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

FEV1

From a breathing test (spirometry): how much air you can blow out in the first second. Often given as a percentage of what is expected for your age, height and sex.

Relapsed and refractory

Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.

Corticosteroids (steroids)

Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.

Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.

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.

Cancer (malignancy)

Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.

Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.

Autoimmune disease

A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

Life expectancy

The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.

05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
538 participants (estimated)
Target follow-up
12 Months
Patient registry
Yes
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna

Groups and cohorts

  • Adults with chronic airway diseases who have been treated with biologics

    Patients with chronic airway diseases who have been treated with biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation and met the study's inclusion criteria

    Drug: Biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation

  • Adults with chronic airway diseases who received the standard of care

    Adults with chronic airway diseases who received the standard of care as recommended by relevant guidelines

    Drug: Patients with asthma and copd who received standard of care

Interventions

  • DrugBiologics targeting Type 2 inflammation

    Biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation, including Omalizumab (anti-IgE monoclonal antibody), Mepolizumab (anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody), Benralizumab (anti-IL-5Rα monoclonal antibody), Dupilumab (anti-IL-4Rα monoclonal antibody, blocking IL-4/IL-13 signaling), Tezepelumab (anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, effective in both T2-high and T2-low phenotypes), Depemokimab (ultra-long-acting anti-IL-5 Fc-fusion protein enabling twice-yearly dosing)

    Also known as: Interventional group

  • DrugPatients with asthma and copd who received standard of care

    Patients with asthma and copd who received standard of care as recommended by relevant guidelines

    Also known as: Standard of Care Group

This study also gives Dupilumab, Omalizumab. No intervention listed here names it: that was found by reading the record.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Annual rate of protocol-defined exacerbations of chronic airway disease over 12 months

    Number of protocol-defined exacerbations per participant-year during the 12-month follow-up. An exacerbation is defined according to the disease-specific international criteria applicable to the participant's primary diagnosis: GINA 2026 for asthma; GOLD 2026 for COPD; ERS 2025 for bronchiectasis; and ERS 2024 for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Events are ascertained from participant report, medical records, and investigator assessment at scheduled and unscheduled visits.

    Time frame: 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time to first exacerbation;

    Exacerbations of chronic airway diseases as defined by international guidelines: GINA 2026 (asthma) and GOLD 2026 (COPD).

    Time frame: 12 months

  2. Frequency of severe exacerbations

    Severe exacerbations of chronic airway diseases as defined by international guidelines: GINA 2026 (asthma), GOLD 2026 (COPD), ERS 2025 (bronchiectasis), and ERS 2024 (ABPA)

    Time frame: 12 months

  3. Change from baseline in Asthma Control Test (ACT) total score at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a 5-item patient-reported questionnaire assessing asthma control over the previous 4 weeks. Total score ranges from 5 to 25; higher scores indicate better asthma control. Change is calculated as 3, 6, 9, 12-month score minus baseline score.

    Time frame: 12 months

  4. Change from baseline in Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 (ACQ-6) score at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 (ACQ-6) assesses asthma symptom control. Each of 6 items is scored from 0 to 6; the total score is the mean of item scores and ranges from 0 to 6. Higher scores indicate worse asthma control. Change is 12-month score minus baseline score.

    Time frame: 12 months

  5. Change from baseline in COPD Assessment Test (CAT) total score at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is an 8-item questionnaire. Total score ranges from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate worse health status. Change is 3, 6, 9, 12-month score minus baseline score.

    Time frame: 12 months

  6. Change from baseline in modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale ranges from 0 to 4; higher scores indicate more severe dyspnea. Change is 3, 6, 9, 12-month grade minus baseline grade.

    Time frame: 12 months

  7. Change from baseline in Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis Respiratory Symptoms Score (QoL-B RSS) at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QoL-B) Respiratory Symptoms Score is a domain of the QoL-B questionnaire. Domain scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate fewer respiratory symptoms / better health status. Change is 3, 6, 9, 12-month score minus baseline score. This instrument is only measured for patients with bronchiectasis.

    Time frame: 12 months

  8. Change from baseline in Bronchiectasis Impact Measure (BIM) total score at 12 months

    The Bronchiectasis Impact Measure (BIM) is a patient-reported instrument assessing the impact of bronchiectasis. Total score ranges from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate greater disease impact (worse outcome). Change is 3, 6, 9, 12-month score minus baseline score. This instrument is only measured for patients with bronchiectasis.

    Time frame: 12 months

  9. Change from baseline in Bronchiectasis Symptom Visual Analog Scale (BS-VAS) score at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The Bronchiectasis Symptom Visual Analog Scale (BS-VAS) measures overall bronchiectasis symptom burden on a 10-mm visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate worse symptoms. Change is 3, 6, 9, 12-month score minus baseline score. This instrument is only measured for patients with bronchiectasis.

    Time frame: 12 months

  10. Change from baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score at 3, 6, 9, 12 months

    The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score ranges from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate worse health-related quality of life. Administered to participants with asthma or COPD, and to participants with ABPA who have comorbid asthma. Change is 3, 6, 9, 12-month score minus baseline score.

    Time frame: 12 months

  11. Lung function parameters

    Lung function parameters (FEV₁, FVC, and FEV₁/FVC ratio);

    Time frame: 12 months

  12. Airway inflammation and immune biomarkers

    Airway inflammation and immune biomarkers (fractional exhaled nitric oxide \[FeNO\], peripheral blood eosinophil \[EOS\] count, and serum IgE levels)

    Time frame: 12 months

  13. Oral corticosteroid (OCS) sparing effect in asthma patients

    Oral corticosteroid (OCS) sparing effect in asthma patients during treatment duration

    Time frame: 12 months

  14. Treatment persistence rate of the biologics

    Treatment persistence rate of the biologics during treatment duration

    Time frame: 12 months

Other outcomes

  1. Safety Objective

    To evaluate the incidence, types, and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring within 12 months of treatment with the different biologics in patients with chronic airway diseases.

    Time frame: 12 months

  2. Exploratory Objectives

    To explore novel endpoints for biologic treatment in chronic airway diseases, particularly imaging markers derived from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), such as airway wall thickness and functional small airway disease;

    Time frame: 12 months

  3. Discriminative performance (AUROC) of a multimodal deep-learning model for predicting protocol-defined treatment response at 12 months

    Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for a pre-specified deep-learning model that integrates baseline clinical variables, biomarkers, and chest CT radiomics features to predict protocol-defined treatment response at 12 months. Treatment response is defined as absence of protocol-defined exacerbation during 12-month follow-up. Model input features and the response definition are specified in the statistical analysis plan. AUROC ranges from 0 to 1; higher values indicate better discrimination.

    Time frame: 12 months

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Bhatt SP, Rabe KF, Hanania NA, Vogelmeier CF, Cole J, Bafadhel M, Christenson SA, Papi A, Singh D, Laws E, Mannent LP, Patel N, Staudinger HW, Yancopoulos GD, Mortensen ER, Akinlade B, Maloney J, Lu X, Bauer D, Bansal A, Robinson LB, Abdulai RM; BOREAS Investigators. Dupilumab for COPD with Type 2 Inflammation Indicated by Eosinophil Counts. N Engl J Med. 2023 Jul 20;389(3):205-214. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2303951. Epub 2023 May 21. PubMed 37272521 ↗
  • Bleecker ER, FitzGerald JM, Chanez P, Papi A, Weinstein SF, Barker P, Sproule S, Gilmartin G, Aurivillius M, Werkstrom V, Goldman M; SIROCCO study investigators. Efficacy and safety of benralizumab for patients with severe asthma uncontrolled with high-dosage inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists (SIROCCO): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2016 Oct 29;388(10056):2115-2127. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31324-1. Epub 2016 Sep 5. PubMed 27609408 ↗
  • Castro M, Corren J, Pavord ID, Maspero J, Wenzel S, Rabe KF, Busse WW, Ford L, Sher L, FitzGerald JM, Katelaris C, Tohda Y, Zhang B, Staudinger H, Pirozzi G, Amin N, Ruddy M, Akinlade B, Khan A, Chao J, Martincova R, Graham NMH, Hamilton JD, Swanson BN, Stahl N, Yancopoulos GD, Teper A. Dupilumab Efficacy and Safety in Moderate-to-Severe Uncontrolled Asthma. N Engl J Med. 2018 Jun 28;378(26):2486-2496. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1804092. Epub 2018 May 21. PubMed 29782217 ↗
  • Sciurba FC, Criner GJ, Christenson SA, Martinez FJ, Papi A, Roche N, Bourbeau J, Korn S, Bafadhel M, Han MK, Kolterer S, Miller K, Mouneimne D, Fletcher J, Mayer B, Min J, Pavord ID; MATINEE Study Investigators. Mepolizumab to Prevent Exacerbations of COPD with an Eosinophilic Phenotype. N Engl J Med. 2025 May 1;392(17):1710-1720. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2413181. PubMed 40305712 ↗
  • Jia N, Jin M, Liu Y, Su N, Sun Y, Tang W, Wang G, Xie H, Xie J, Xie M, Yao X, Zhang H, Chen R, Liu C, Li J. The management of type 2 inflammatory respiratory diseases: a Chinese expert consensus [2024]. J Thorac Dis. 2025 Apr 30;17(4):1807-1831. doi: 10.21037/jtd-2024-2092. Epub 2025 Mar 25. PubMed 40400979 ↗
  • Chung KF, Wenzel SE, Brozek JL, Bush A, Castro M, Sterk PJ, Adcock IM, Bateman ED, Bel EH, Bleecker ER, Boulet LP, Brightling C, Chanez P, Dahlen SE, Djukanovic R, Frey U, Gaga M, Gibson P, Hamid Q, Jajour NN, Mauad T, Sorkness RL, Teague WG. International ERS/ATS guidelines on definition, evaluation and treatment of severe asthma. Eur Respir J. 2014 Feb;43(2):343-73. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00202013. Epub 2013 Dec 12. PubMed 24337046 ↗
  • Bhatt SP, Agusti A, Bafadhel M, Christenson SA, Bon J, Donaldson GC, Sin DD, Wedzicha JA, Martinez FJ. Phenotypes, Etiotypes, and Endotypes of Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023 Nov 15;208(10):1026-1041. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202209-1748SO. PubMed 37560988 ↗

Related links

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Jul 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Mar 2029, 32 months after the start.

Of 364 non-industry observational studies under Asthma, half reached primary completion within 38 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 18 and three quarters within 97. This study's planned 32 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 454 studies reached it within 36 months; a quarter within 18 and three quarters within 82.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Sep 8, 2026
First posted
Sep 16, 2026
StartActual
Jul 30, 2026
Primary completionEst.
Mar 31, 2029
CompletionEst.
May 16, 2029
Last update
Sep 16, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 16, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07823842
Responsible party
Gao Yong-hua (Professor, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China) — Principal investigator
First posted
Sep 16, 2026
Start date
Jul 30, 2026
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2029 (estimated)
Completion
May 16, 2029 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 16, 2026

Study contacts

Gao Yong-hua, PhD, MD
Contact
gaoyonghuahust@163.com
+8617321278520
Gao Yong-hua, PhD, MD
principal investigator · Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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