ACFRT Joint Funded Project - AREST CF
17/Dec/2008
Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF)
The Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis is a collaboration of Paediatric Clinical Centres and Research Centres in Perth and Melbourne.The team runs a unique early surveillance program for infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis following newborn screening. The program focuses on the assessment, treatment and prevention of cystic fibrosis lung disease in young children. A comprehensive assessment is undertaken at diagnosis and annually close to the child's birthday, until the age of six, or when they can produce sputum. The assessments include measurements of inflammation and infection in the lung, lung function in infants and preschoolers and chest scans that show us detailed lung structure. Information during first few years of life allow a better understanding of the factors that cause lung damage and which tests best for monitoring CF related lung problems. The information from these assessments will also greatly facilitate intervention studies of new therapies by providing valid endpoints for clinical trials.
The program has been supported by the United States Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust, Princess Margaret Hospital, The University of Western Australia, National Health and Medical Research Council, and Australian Respiratory Council.
Team members have presented information from the program at international meetings of the European Respiratory Society, American Thoracic Society, North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, and Australian National Cystic Fibrosis Conference.
AREST CF have published the early results from studies in the best international medical journals and will continue to target such journals as the study progresses.
For more information about AREST CF visit the website www.arestcf.org or email arestcf@ichr.uwa.edu.au.
