The Vascular Effects of the Precision Interventions for Severe Asthma (VASC-PreCISE) led by Matthew Tattersall, DO, MS, associate professor, Department of Medicine, aimed to investigate biomarker-guided treatments for asthma and their impact on arterial injury and cardiovascular risk, focusing on improving blood vessel function and reducing inflammation through novel therapies. Asthma affects over 500,000 individuals in Wisconsin, with higher hospitalization and mortality rates among ethnic minorities. Certain asthma types, particularly persistent or late-onset forms, are linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk due to shared inflammatory pathways. This connection represents a knowledge gap and a need for targeted approaches in treating both asthma and CVD.
The VASC-PreCISE successfully enrolled 25 participants and collected 75 blood serum samples along with 75 ultrasound scans of participants’ carotid and brachial arteries to evaluate blood vessel health and inflammation. Data analysis was scheduled for February 2024 post-randomization to maintain trial integrity. Ultimately, this project fostered partnerships and led to a KL2 Scholar Award to continue research on precision asthma anti-inflammatory therapies.
The Challenge
Asthma affects over 500,000 individuals in Wisconsin, with higher hospitalization and mortality rates among ethnic minorities. The state’s asthma deaths remain above national health goals. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and asthma both involve inflammation, and certain types of asthma, especially those starting later in life or persisting over time, are linked to a higher risk for CVD. Despite these connections, knowledge gaps remain in the shared disease process between asthma subtypes and CVD, which has therapeutic implications. Anti-inflammatory treatments are essential for managing asthma, and new, targeted treatments based on specific inflammation markers could improve control. Emerging targeted anti-inflammatory therapies, like Canakinumab, have shown promise in reducing CVD events, demonstrating the need for targeted, precision approaches in treating both asthma and CVD.
Project Goals
The VASC-PreCISE trial’s goal was to test a biomarker-guided treatment strategy using six novel asthma therapies that addressed the common disease processes between asthma and CVD. The project aimed to explore the causal relationships between different asthma types and arterial injury, identify which asthma types have the highest CVD risk and develop targeted treatments that improve asthma control and reduce CVD risk. Specifically, the study investigated if these treatments would improve blood vessel function and reduce inflammation as indicated by ultrasound and blood serum measures.
Results
The VASC-PreCISE study successfully enrolled 25 participants despite initial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. By September 2023, 25 out of the 27 eligible participants for the trial were enrolled, representing a 93 percent participation rate. The study collected 75 serum samples and obtained 75 carotid and brachial artery ultrasound images to assess for blood vessel damage and inflammation. The analyses of these samples and imaging data were planned for February 2024, upon completion of the randomization scheme, to maintain trial blinding and ensure accurate interpretation of results.
This project facilitated new partnerships, including collaborations with the UW Asthma and Allergy Research labs and asthma researchers nationwide. These experiences paved the way for future research proposals and grant funding opportunities. For example, the project’s successful recruitment strategies and data collection led to the research team being awarded a KL2 Scholar Award to continue their investigation of precision asthma anti-inflammatory therapies.
