A groundbreaking research programme focusing on respiratory health has been launched, bringing together scientists from nine different organizations to explore lung diseases and develop better treatments for patients across Asia. The initiative, driven by the Tariph Centre at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University, is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges posed by chronic lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
One of the programme’s key innovations is the development of a nationwide forecasting tool that alerts patients to adverse air quality conditions, such as hazy weather or extreme climate events, that could trigger respiratory attacks. This tool, expected to be a game-changer for asthma and COPD patients, will provide real-time text alerts, allowing individuals and caregivers to take timely, proactive measures to reduce exposure and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
John Abisheganaden, senior consultant in respiratory and critical care medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, emphasized the significance of this alert system in helping patients manage their conditions more effectively. “With the tool and alert system, patients and their caregivers can take necessary proactive measures to reduce exposure, thereby reducing unnecessary hospital utilization,” he said.
The five-year programme, which secured a $10 million Open Fund-Large Collaborative Grant in May 2024 from Singapore’s National Research Foundation, focuses on personalized treatments for chronic respiratory conditions. It aims to develop tailored strategies to improve lung health in Asian populations, a region where respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD are increasingly prevalent.
LKCMedicine’s Vice-Dean of Research, Sanjay Chotirmall, highlighted the lack of in-depth studies on respiratory diseases in Asia, which often leaves critical questions unanswered. “Is the disease the same in Asians? Do Asians respond the same way to medications? What are the effects of ethnicity, diet, and climate?” he said. Chotirmall, who is also the principal investigator of the grant, stressed the importance of addressing these gaps in knowledge.
The research programme draws on expertise from leading institutions, including the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore General Hospital, and will examine how environmental and climate changes impact respiratory diseases. By studying three local cohort databases, researchers aim to understand how factors such as allergens, microbiomes, diet, and lifestyle influence the onset and progression of respiratory conditions from birth through adulthood.
Associate Professor Chew Fook Tim from the NUS Faculty of Science explained, “We aim to assess the role of gene-environment interactions with a focus on environmental exposures such as allergens, the microbiome, and lifestyle factors that determine sensitization, disease development, and exacerbation.”
A further major focus of the initiative is the creation of “mini-lung” cell models to aid research and test new treatments. These organoids, which are lab-grown cell clusters resembling human lungs, will enable rapid testing of treatments for emerging diseases and could be pivotal in preparing for future pandemics.
Additionally, the programme is exploring early detection and management of lung diseases, with a particular emphasis on COPD. Research will focus on the disease’s development across Singapore’s three main ethnic groups—Chinese, Malay, and Indian—investigating any ethnic-specific patterns in its progression.
In a unique approach, the programme is including patients as active partners in the research process. Their feedback is being incorporated into the design, execution, and reporting of studies, ensuring that the research meets the real-world needs of those affected by respiratory diseases.
Among those involved is the Venerable You Guang, abbot of the Samantabhadra Vihara monastery, who has lived with severe asthma for over 20 years. He will help design a study on the impact of ICU stays on lung disease patients and provide insights into how best to engage patients and caregivers in such research. “My motivation, like many patient advocates, is to pay it forward,” said Ven You Guang. “It is important to include the perspective of patients because ultimately, research exists for patients.”
Professor Chotirmall echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of listening to patients’ voices. “Their voice matters, their opinion matters,” he said. “After all, research exists for patients, right?”
With its multidisciplinary approach and a focus on Asia-specific challenges, this research programme aims to make significant strides in improving lung health and treatment for respiratory disease patients in the region.
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