Rare CFTR Mutation Cell Collection Protocol (RARE) (RARE)

May 27, 2026 updated by: George Solomon

Over 1,900 mutations in the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein are implicated in causing Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Potential therapies that directly target defective CFTR are being evaluated in important clinical trials, but most target the most common CFTR mutation F508del. Many patients with rare CF mutations are not able to participate in those studies. The RARE study is specifically designed for people with CF caused by rare mutations. Eligible rare mutations are listed below:

• CF patients who are heterozygous for pre-mature stop codons as noted below: i. one allele must be a F508del ii. the other allele must be a pre-mature stop codon mutation

• CF Patients with other genotypes that require Study PI permission: i. CF patients with two mutations that are not eligible for Trikafta ii. CF patients homozygous or heterozygous (other allele must be F508del) for rare mutations of special interest (e.g., 711+3A->G, 2789+5G->A, 3272-26A->G, 3849+10kbC->T). Other rare mutations will be considered on a case by case basis

This is a multi-site, specimen collection study. Investigators will collect blood, intestinal cells and nasal cells from each participant. Cells from these specimens will be used to test future CFTR modulators to see if they might work for people with study eligible rare mutations. Having cells to test in the lab is an important first step in identifying potential new therapies for people with these mutations.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

This is a single-site, specimen collection study for people with Cystic Fibrosis who have rare mutations. This study is non-interventional so there is no study drug or investigational treatment involved.

  • Once a potentially eligible participant is identified (either self-identified or by their CF care center), and the person has expressed interest in participating in the study, the participant will be referred to the study site (UAB) to receive additional information about the study and about travel arrangements (if needed).
  • The eligibility criteria are broad and inclusive: Often studies have restrictions around lung function that limit who can participate. The only real restriction for this study rare mutations as defined on the RARE study eligible mutations list.
  • Blood, intestinal cells, nasal cells will be collected from all participants.
  • Participants will be compensated for the time of the visit and travel expenses will be pre-paid by the study. The research coordinator can provide more detail on how much participants will be paid.
  • This study is being conducted at UAB

Visit Schedule:

Two day study visit

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

    • Alabama
      • Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35233
        • Recruiting
        • University of Alabama at Birmingham
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • George M Solomon, MD
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

12 years and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Subjects with a diagnosis of CF who meet all of the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria will be eligible for participation in this study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or female ≥ 17 years of age at time of consent
  • Documentation of a CF diagnosis as evidenced by one or more clinical features consistent with CF and one or more of the following criteria (1. Sweat chloride ≥ 60 milliequivalents/Liter (mEq/L) by quantitative pilocarpineiontophoresis test (QPIT) OR upon permission of the RARE Investigator- Sponsors, 2. Two well-characterized mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductive regulator (CFTR) gene, 3.Abnormal nasal potential difference (NPD) (change in NPD in response to a low chloride solution and isoproterenol of lessthan -6.6 mV)
  • Confirmed genotype of the current recruitment focus for certain target rare mutations. The initial recruitment focus will be CF patients who are homozygous for pre-mature stop codons. Operations Memos will detail any future current genotype targets.
  • Written informed consent (and assent when applicable) obtained from participant or participant's legal representative and ability to comply with the requirements of the study.
  • Willing to travel (if needed) to a regional study site for cell collection.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Presence of a medical condition, abnormality, or laboratory value(s) that in the opinion of the onsite principal investigator and/or collaborating gastroenterologist may compromise the quality of the data or place the subject at significant risk by undergoing the research related biopsy, including:

    Significantly diseased distal rectal/GI tissue that could place the participant at risk by participating in the study (as judged by the collaborating gastroenterologist, such as significant hemorrhoids, vascular abnormalities, colonic infection, radiation injury or history of radiation therapy to the rectum, prostate and/or pelvic area)

    Any of the following abnormal lab values at the study visit:

    i. Platelets < 50 x 10^3/µL ii. Hemoglobin < 10 gm/dL iii. Hematocrit < 30% iv. WBC > 20 x 10^3/µL v. Neutropenia (ANC < 1.5 x 10^3/µL) vi. Lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count < 1.5 x 10^3/µL) vii. PT/INR > 1.5 viii. Other bleeding diathesis

  2. Positive pregnancy test (for female of childbearing potential) at the study visit.
  3. Breastfeeding (if patient opts to use sedation).
  4. Current use of drugs with significant risks of compromising immunity (e.g. oral steroid use >20 mg/day) for >14 days prior to the rectal biopsy.
  5. History of organ transplant.
  6. Use of oral anticoagulant medications (e.g., chronic anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin or platelet inactivators such as aspirin) within seven days prior to rectal biopsy.
  7. Unable or unwilling to withhold use of oral anticoagulant medications (e.g., chronic anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin or platelet inactivators such as aspirin) within 7 days after rectal biopsy.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The Number of samples collected from cystic fibrosis participants with rare CFTR mutations
Time Frame: 2-5 year observational period
CFTR mutations will be confirmed. Once the mutations are confirmed as RARE study eligible mutations, the specimen(s) collected will be expanded, added to a specimen bank and made available to the research community for the evaluation of potential CFTR modulating agents.
2-5 year observational period
The number of nasal cells collected
Time Frame: 2-5 year observational period
Nasal cells will be collected from all participants.
2-5 year observational period
Number of Blood samples
Time Frame: 2-5 year observational period
Blood samples will be collected from all participants
2-5 year observational period
Number of rectal samples collected
Time Frame: 2-5 year observational period
Rectal biopsy samples will be collected from all participants
2-5 year observational period

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Collaborators

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 5, 2017

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 9, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 18, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

May 22, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • RARE-OB-16
  • SOLOMO25Y2 (Other Grant/Funding Number: CF Foundation)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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