NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • NIHR Oxford BRC impact
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Stay in Touch
    • Contact Us
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • Health Economics
        • Ethics in the NIHR Oxford BRC
        • Medical Statistics
        • Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient and Public Involvement
    • For patients and the public
    • For researchers
    • More information
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • PARC Programme
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

** HEALTH RESEARCH SHOWCASE THURSDAY 29 MAY 2025 **

News

You are here: Home > Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics > New two-drug approach to treat type of respiratory disease

New two-drug approach to treat type of respiratory disease

11 August 2011 · Listed under Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics

A therapy combining two existing drugs could provide an effective new approach for treating patients with pleural infections, a serious condition where infected fluid builds up in the space between the ribs and lungs.

A randomised clinical trial conducted by Oxford University researchers in the UK and published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that two drugs for breaking up the thick pleural fluid, when used together, improve drainage of the fluid from the chest.

The combination of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and DNase also appears to significantly reduce the need for surgery, shorten the time patients spend in hospital and reduce fever.

‘This is an exciting result because this combination of two drugs has not been tested before for this condition. While neither drug appears to work on its own, the combination therapy very significantly improves the drainage of the infected fluid,’ says Dr Najib Rahman of the Oxford Respiratory Trials Unit at Oxford University, and first author on the study.

← What can be done about the rising risk of antibiotic resistance?
How has the pneumococcus bacteria evolved after the introduction of a childhood vaccine? →

Other news

News Categories

News by Month

See all news

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at [email protected]

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre