Clinical Research



The Pneumology Department is involved in the research activity of the institut du thorax, with its own axis of excellence.
The teams
The clinical research team in pneumology is directed by Professor François-Xavier Blanc. It is divided into 2 main fields: pneumology and thoracic oncology. Prof. Antoine Magnan (severe asthma) and Prof. Jaafar Bennouna (lung cancer) are national references in their respective fields and participate very actively in the life of this team.

The clinical research team in pulmonology
From left to right
- Pr Antoine MAGNAN, Pulmonologist,
- Pr François-Xavier BLANC, Pulmonologist
- Megguy BERNARD, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Project Manager
- Elodie GODARD, Clinical Research Associate
- Fabienne EVANO, Clinical Research Nurse,
- Karine MAUGENDRE, Clinical Research Nurse,
Absent: Régine VALERO, Clinical Research Nurse

The Clinical Research Team in Thoracic Oncology
From left to right:
- Pr Jaafar Bennouna, Oncologist,
- Lucie Groisard, Clinical Research Associate,
- Morgane Barbier, Clinical Research Nurse,
- Karine Bouhier,Clinical Research Nurse,
- Murielle Corvaisiser-Chiron, Clinical Trial Coordinator,
- Dr Stéphanie Bordenave, Oncologist,
- Hélène Godet, Clinical Research Associate
The current medical team includes:
- Dr Stéphanie Bordenave, Oncologist
- Dr Raafet Affi, Oncologist
- Dr Elvire Pons-Tostivint, Oncologist
- Dr Dahna Coupez, Oncologist
- Dr Caroline Jezzine, Supportive care
The research activity of the department consists of:
- to evaluate the impact (efficacy, tolerance) of new drugs or new therapeutic strategies in respiratory diseases;
- to discover new ways to diagnose respiratory diseases, their complications, or therapeutic failures;
- to discover markers of these complications allowing their prevention by acting before they appear;
- to discover new treatments for respiratory diseases.
The team works in collaboration with several research laboratories including:
- Team III «SIGNALING IN VASCULAR AND PULMONARY PATHOPHYSIOLOGY » DIRICTED BY GERVAISE LOIRAND FROM THE INSTITUT DU THORAX (UMR 1087),
- TEAM IV « IMMUNOREGULATION AND IMMUNOINTERVENTION IN TRANSPLANTATION AND AUTOIMMUNITY » DIRECTED BY SOPHIE BROUARD FROM THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN TRANSPLANTATION AND IMMUNOLOGY (UMR 1064),
- TEAM IV “IMMUNOGENIC CELL DEATH AND MESOTHELIOMA THERAPY” DIRECTED BY MARC GRÉGOIRE OF CRCINA INSERM UMR 1232
This clinical research work is supported by the clinical investigation center-Inserm 1413 of Nantes and the clinical research promotion unit of the Nantes University Hospital.
Domains of expertise (to access the different studies, click on the pathology) You will find below a non-exhaustive list of clinical research studies currently being conducted by our teams
Severe Asthma
Treatment with anti-CRTH2 antibodies: Severe asthma patients over 12 years of age, with or without maintenance treatment with oral corticosteroids, non-smokers
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04049175?term=PERSEA&cond=severe+asthma&draw=2&rank=1
– NARACAS « Assessing the Expression and the Activity of Rac1 Protein in the Airway Smooth Muscle of Asthmatic Patient» : Severe asthmatic patients over 12 years old, non-smokers, a bronchial fibroscopy is required.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03325088?term=naracas&cond=severe+asthma&draw=2&rank=1
-GANA « Genetic study of familial forms of non-atopic asthma » : genealogical survey of severe non-allergic asthma patients, aged over 12 years.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02911220?term=GANA&cond=asthma&draw=2&rank=1
-BENRAPRED « Predictive Signature of Response to Benralizumab » : Severe asthma patients over 18 years of age requiring initiation of Benralizumab with 3 prior exacerbations within 1 year.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04565483?term=BENRAPRED&draw=2&rank=1
Emphysema / COPD
-Therapeutic trial with an anti-TSLP antibody: patients with moderate to very severe COPD over the age of 40.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04039113?term=COURSE&cond=COPD&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
–Non-invasive ventilation:“Evaluation of respiratory assistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after an acute exacerbation”: Adult patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of their COPD
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03890224?term=rescue+2&cond=copd&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
Thoracic cancers (lung cancer, mesothelioma, neuroendocrine tumors)
- 1st line study of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):
- Localized stages
–PDC-Lung-101 “Evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of the PDC*lung therapeutic cancer vaccine in patients with early stage or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03970746?term=PDC-Lung-101&draw=2&rank=1
– CA209-73L0084 (BMS) “Study of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in untreated patients with non-operable stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (CheckMate73L).
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04026412?term=CA209-73L&draw=2&rank=1
– MS200647-0005 (IQVIA & MERCK) “Study of M7824 with concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03840902
- 1st line metastatic stages without oncogenic addiction NSCLC
– IFCT-1805 ELDERLY (IFCT)“Study of atezolizumab in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03977194
– ZEAL1/ 213400 (GSK) “Randomized, double-blind, multicenter, Phase III study evaluating Niraparib plus Pembrolizumab in maintenance versus placebo plus Pembrolizumab in stable or responder stage IIIv or IV NSCLC patients after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy plus Pembrolizumab.”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04475939?term=ZEAL1%2F+213400+%28GSK%29&draw=2&rank=1
- 1st line with oncogenic addiction
–MARIPOSA /73841937NSC3003 (JANSSEN)” Randomized 1st line study in patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC, evaluating the combination of JNJ-61186372 (Amivantamab) and Lazertinib (3rd generation TKI), versus monotherapy with Lazertinib or Osimertinib ”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04487080?term=MARIPOSA+%2F73841937NSC3003+%28JANSSEN%29&draw=2&rank=1
– PAPILLON / JRD 61186372NSC3001 (JANSSEN) « Randomized, open-label, phase 3 study evaluating in first-line locally advanced or metastaticNSCLC patients with an EGFR exon 20 insertion, a combination of Amivantamab and Carboplatin-Pemetrexed, versus Carboplatin-Pemetrexed chemotherapy alone.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04538664?term=PAPILLON+%2F+JRD+61186372NSC3001+%28JANSSEN%29&draw=2&rank=1
- ≥ 2nd line without oncogenic addiction NSCLC.
– EFC15858 / CARMEN-LC03 (SANOFI)“Randomized, open-label, phase 3 study evaluating Docetaxel versus SAR408701 in CEACAM5-positive advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC patients
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04154956?term=EFC15858+%2F+CARMEN-LC03+%28SANOFI%29&draw=2&rank=1
– HUDSON / D6185C00001 (ASTRA ZANECA) “Immunotherapy (Umbrella trial, multiple treatment options:) Olaparib, Durvalumab, Savotinib, treatment under study)”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03334617?term=HUDSON&draw=2&rank=1
– SAPPHIRE (Mirati)”Randomized phase 3 study in patients with active NSCLC after 1 line of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, evaluating Sitravatinib in combination with Nivolumab, versus Docetaxel ”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03906071?term=SAPPHIRE+%28Mirati%29&draw=2&rank=1
– TROPION-Lung01 – DS1062-A-U301 (DAIICHI SANKYO)” Randomized phase 3 study in patients with NSCLC without oncogenic mutations, evolving after 1 line of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, evaluating DS1062-A versus Docetaxel.”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04656652?term=TROPION-Lung01+-+DS1062-A-U301+%28DAIICHI+SANKYO%29&draw=2&rank=1
- = 2nd line with oncogenic addiction
– D5084C00007 – SAVANNAH (AstraZeneca)“Study of osimertinib plus savolitinib in patients with EGFR-mutated and MET-amplified non-small cell lung cancer after osimertinib.”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03778229?term=SAVANNAH&draw=2&rank=1
– NAVIGATE (BAYER)” Phase 2 Basket study evaluating Larotrectinib in tumors with NTRK fusion”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02576431?term=NAVIGATE+%28BAYER%29&draw=2&rank=2
– DS1062-A-U202 TROPION-Lung05 (DAIICHI SANKYO)” Multicenter, randomized, phase 2, open-label study evaluating DS-1062a in oncogenically-addictive NSCLC progressing with a TKI and a platinum-based chemotherapy line +/- immunotherapy ”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04484142?term=DS1062-A-U202+TROPION-Lung05+%28DAIICHI+SANKYO%29&draw=2&rank=1
– DS8201-A-U206 DESTINY Lung02 (DAIICHI SANKYO)”Multicenter, Randomized Phase 2 Study Evaluating Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Patients with HER2-Mutated Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04644237?term=DS8201-A-U206+DESTINY+Lung02+%28DAIICHI+SANKYO%29&draw=2&rank=1
- Small cell bronchial carcinoma
– MS201923-0050 (MERCK/IQVIA)” Open-label, single-arm, Phase 2 study evaluating topotecan in combination with berzosertib (M6620) in patients with platinum-resistant small cell lung carcinoma ”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04768296?term=berzosertib&draw=2&rank=1
- Observational studies
TERAVOLT – Covid and Cancer
CBP-COVID (CH le Mans) Impact of lockdown and preventive measures during SARS-COV2 infection on the clinical profile, diagnostic and therapeutic management and prognosis of patients with lung cancer: a study over two time periods “
COFAC-1 (Nantes University Hospital) – Multicenter, retrospective cohort study of factors associated with real-life choice of 1st line metastasis in patients with PD-L1≥50% advanced NSCLC
THE BREATHE Cohort (Nantes University Hospital) – Single-center prospective cohort study of patients with metastatic bronchopulmonary carcinoma associated with a biocollection
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults (national center of competence)
Severe respiratory failure with devices.
Cystic fibrosis in adults (national reference center)
– ABBVIE M19530:Therapeutic protocol for patients homozygous for the F508del mutation
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03969888?term=abbvie+m19-530&draw=2&rank=1
– Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03312075?term=cystic+fibrosis&cond=Non-Tuberculous+Mycobacterial+infection&draw=2&rank=8
Tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial diseases
-Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03312075?term=cystic+fibrosis&cond=Non-Tuberculous+Mycobacterial+infection&draw=2&rank=8
– Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary infections:
“CLArithromycin versus AZIthromycin in the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary infections”.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03236987?term=CLAZI&draw=2&rank=1
Infectious diseases
–Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis“Comparison of the efficacy at six months of a combination of itraconazole and nebulized Ambisome® versus itraconazole alone”: Adult patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03656081?cond=Chronic+Pulmonary+Aspergillosis&draw=2&rank=1
– Legionellosis: Bacterial and human biomarkers of prognostic interest for severe legionellosis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03064737?term=PROGLEGIO&draw=1&rank=1
–Bronchiectasis (excluding cystic fibrosis) with chronic infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa:“Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a 12-month inhaled treatment with colistimethate sodium
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03460704?term=zambon&cond=Bronchiectasis&draw=2&rank=1
– Antibiotic therapy in patients with mechanically acquired tracheobronchitis: hospitalized patients older than 18 years
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03012360?term=TAVEM2&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
Interstitial lung disease / sarcoidosis
-Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: “Pulse Oscillometry for Monitoring Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis”: Patients over 45 years old
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03898284?term=oscillo+fibrose&cond=Fibrosis&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
-Dose reduction strategies in thoracic sarcoidosis imaging: patients older than 18 years followed for thoracic sarcoidosis
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03140644?cond=Sarcoidosis%2C+Pulmonary&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
Pulmonary and cardiopulmonary transplantation
-PRELUD: Cohort of lung and cardiopulmonary transplant patients followed for 3 years post-transplant: “Prediction of chronic lung allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03967340?term=prelud&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
Invasive or non-invasive ventilation
–Non-invasive ventilation:“Evaluation of respiratory assistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after an acute exacerbation”: Adult patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of their COPD
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03890224?term=rescue+2&cond=copd&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1
– High-Flow Oxygen Therapy: “Incidence of Nasal High-Flow Oxygen Therapy Use in Patients Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit”
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04141956?term=ohe+rea&cntry=FR&draw=2&rank=1