Final participant completes recruitment milestone for COPD trial

Researchers in Leicester are celebrating the completion of recruitment to the MINT-COPD trial after the 80th and final participant was seen this week.

The achievement marks an important milestone for the study, which is being delivered through the National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at Glenfield Hospital and seeks to improve recovery and quality of life for people living with COPD following a hospital admission.

MINT-COPD (Maintaining the Integrity of Muscle Trial in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is investigating whether a novel treatment, known as RJx-01, can help preserve muscle health and improve recovery for people hospitalised with severe flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a major cause of ill health worldwide, and hospital admissions can result in significant loss of muscle strength and physical function, affecting patients' independence and quality of life.

Dr Neil Greening, Associate Professor at the University of Leicester, Chief Investigator of the MINT-COPD trial and Consultant Respiratory Physician at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “Through this trial we have been evaluating the safety and tolerability of RJx-01, as well as its impact on muscle function, physical performance, frailty, fatigue, cognition and health-related quality of life following hospitalisation for COPD exacerbations.

“Reaching our final recruitment target is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment of our patients, research teams and clinical colleagues across Leicester. People admitted to hospital with COPD often experience a significant decline in muscle strength and physical function that can persist long after they return home.

"Through MINT-COPD, we are exploring a completely new approach to supporting recovery following a severe exacerbation. We are immensely grateful to every participant who has chosen to take part. Their contribution will help us better understand how to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with COPD in the future."

Richard Golding, 73 from Market Bosworth, a participant in the MINT-COPD trial said: "After losing lots of weight after spending time in hospital and being less mobile due to my COPD and other health conditions, I was happy to be asked to be part of this study.

“The research team are great people, and have supported me throughout the study. I’m a big believer that people must have taken part in research in the past for us to have access to the medicines we use today, and I’m also happy to pay it forward.

“If this research helps future patients recover better and stay active for longer, then taking part will have been worthwhile."

The achievement underscores the strength of Leicester's respiratory research infrastructure and the ability of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Leicester to deliver complex, early-phase clinical studies aimed at improving outcomes for patients with long-term respiratory disease.

Recruitment to MINT-COPD has involved patients aged 55 years and over who were admitted to hospital with an acute COPD exacerbation. Participants have undergone detailed assessments during their recovery, helping researchers build a clearer picture of the factors that influence muscle health and recovery following hospitalisation.

As follow-up continues, researchers hope the findings will provide important evidence to support the development of new therapeutic approaches that help patients recover more effectively after severe COPD flare-ups.

The trial has been conducted through a partnership between:
• Rejuvenate Biomed
• University of Leicester
• NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre
Led by Dr Neil Greening and Dr Hamish McAuley and supported by Wellcome Leap funding.