Heart Lung Centre - Clinical Trials Unit

Heart Lung Centre - Clinical Trials Unit The Heart Lung Centre is a clinical trials unit based at the Fitzrovia Hospital in Central London.

Our major expertise lies in evaluating the mechanisms involved in respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). In addition we assess the clinical potential of new therapeutic agents for both of these. We have a proven track record in performing clinically based pharmacological research in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, UK clinical trial regulations and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

17/04/2026

Myth No 7: Clinical trials are dangerous because they use untested medicines.

Fact: New treatments are first tested on animals to ensure basic safety before human trials begin.

Human trials progress through phases:
👉 Phase I: A small group of healthy volunteers tests safety and safe dosing.
👉 Phase II: A few hundred patients assess short-term effects and efficacy.
👉 Phase III: Hundreds to thousands patients trial the medicine to compare it to a placebo or existing treatment; often lasts years.
👉 Phase IV: Safety and effectiveness are monitored in practice (not required for all medicines).

Find out more at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-trials/

10/04/2026

Myth No 6: If a study has a placebo, there’s a 50% chance I’ll get it.

Fact: The chance of receiving a placebo varies by study design. A placebo is an inactive substance that helps researchers see if the real treatment makes a difference.

👉 Some studies have more treatment groups than placebo groups, reducing the chance of getting a placebo.
👉 Others use a rotation system, so you experience both the placebo and treatment at different times.
👉 If the new medication is found to be effective, it may be offered to study participants in a follow-up study.

03/04/2026

Myth No 5: If I’m not eligible for one clinical trial, I can’t join any others.

Fact: Just because you're not a fit for one study doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for another!

Each trial has its own set of eligibility criteria surrounding:

👉 Medical conditions
👉 Medications
👉 General health

These criteria ensure participants are as similar as possible, so if one group shows better results, researchers can be confident it’s due to the treatment.

27/03/2026

Myth No 4: It costs to participate in a clinical trial

Fact: Participation in trials is free, and most expenses are covered by the sponsor!

These include:
✔️ Compensation for participants' time and involvement.
✔️ Travel costs, such as trains and taxis, are often reimbursed.
✔️ Some sponsors cover overnight stays if needed.

20/03/2026

Myth No 3: Trial visits occur on fixed dates

Fact: Some trials allow participants to join at any time while the trial is open, which can last for years.

👉Visit windows allow appointments within a flexible timeframe eg. 7 days
👉Trials aim to accommodate personal schedules, even for full-time workers
👉 Some trials have only a few, short visits e.g., our lung cancer screening study has 1–3 visits per year, each lasting about 1 hour.

13/03/2026

Myth No 2: Clinical trials only test non-licensed medications.

Fact: Clinical trials also test devices, combinations of licensed therapies, and diagnostic tools for diseases.

✔️ Devices: Improve medication delivery (e.g., nebulisers for COPD patients).
✔️ Therapy combinations: Enhance treatment efficacy (e.g., exercise + inhalers).
✔️ Diagnostic tools: Improve disease detection (e.g., lung cancer screening).

06/03/2026

Myth No 1: "I’ll be treated like a guinea pig."

Fact: Clinical trial participants are active members, not test subjects. Before the trial begins, doctors ensure:

✔️ It’s safe for you personally, considering your medical history
✔️ Full understanding of risks and benefits
✔️ Freedom to withdraw anytime

Through this informed consent process and regular monitoring (e.g., blood tests, vital signs), we ensure your safety is our top priority.

05/03/2026

Welcome to our 'Myth Busting' series where we will explore the common misconceptions surrounding clinical trials. Stay tuned for more!

Want to help with Chronic Cough research?We have a new observational chronic cough study, which aims to measure cough va...
13/02/2026

Want to help with Chronic Cough research?

We have a new observational chronic cough study, which aims to measure cough variability in patients with Chronic Cough and those without a chronic cough, using a cough monitoring wristwatch for 4-week.

To be eligible for the Chronic Cough cohort, you must:
👉 Be 21+ years
👉 Be a Non- smoker or former smoker for at least 6 months
👉 Have a had a cough for > 8 weeks
👉 Outpatient at a specialist clinic* for a chronic cough

To be eligible for the Comparison cohort, you must:
👉 Be 21+ years
👉 Be a Non- smoker or former smoker for at least 6 months
👉 Have no cough
👉 Outpatient at a specialist clinic* for a non-cough related reason

* Specialist clinics include: respiratory/pulmonology, ENT, or allergy/immunology

You will be reimbursed for travel and participation!

Think you would be a good fit? Contact us!

If you are interested, please contact us by:
📞 calling us at 0207 034 3342
🖥 sending us an email at recruitment@qasmc.com
📱 or registering your interest on our website (link in bio)

Want to help with COPD research?Join our 11-week phase IV COPD study, which aims to assess the effects of an approved in...
09/01/2026

Want to help with COPD research?

Join our 11-week phase IV COPD study, which aims to assess the effects of an approved inhaler on heart and lung function in participants with COPD.

To be eligible to take part, you must:
👉 Have a COPD diagnosis
👉 Be 40 to 80 years old
👉 Use a daily preventative inhaler (non-blue inhaler) for at least 6 weeks
👉 Be a current or former smoker

You’ll be reimbursed for your travel up to £100 per visit and for your time up to £880.

If you are interested, please contact us by:
📞 calling us at 0207 034 3342
🖥 emailing us at recruitment@heartlungcentre.com
📱 or registering your interest on our website (link in bio)

Want to help with COPD research?Join our 32-week phase II COPD study which aims to assess the safety and tolerability of...
05/12/2025

Want to help with COPD research?

Join our 32-week phase II COPD study which aims to assess the safety and tolerability of a newly developed anti-inflammatory medication for the treatment of COPD.

To be eligible to take part, you must:
👉 Have a COPD diagnosis for at least 1 year
👉 Be 40 to 75 years old
👉 Use a daily preventative inhaler (non-blue inhaler) for at least 3 months
👉 Be a former smoker for at least 6 months

You’ll be reimbursed for your travel up tp £200 per visit and for your time up to £1,500.

If you are interested, please contact us by:
📞 calling us at 0207 034 3342
🖥 emailing us at recruitment@heartlungcentre.com
📱 or registering your interest on our website (link in bio)

03/10/2025

✨ Define This! Series - Bronchiectasis ✨

Kicking off the series, we will be defining the respiratory disease Bronchiectasis 🫁

• What is it? A condition where damaged airways struggle to clear mucus.🩺

• Symptoms - Persistent cough, coughing up lots of mucus, frequent chest infections.😷

• Causes
👉 Asthma & COPD
👉 Severe infections such as tuberculosis or pneumonia
👉 Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
👉 Problems with the immune system. 🫁

Address

Fitzrovia Hospital, 13-14 Fitzroy Square
London
W1T6AH

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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