FSR feels strongly that the causes of this disease, and ultimately a cure, will be uncovered through rigorous and extensive scientific research. FSR research awards focus on collaborations which will advance an improved understanding of sarcoidosis and will address the causes of the disease, the suffering of patients and the potential for a cure for sarcoidosis.  Learn more about FSR's Research Grant Application Process or Donate to support important new research.

Meet Other Researchers Funded by FSR.

Nabeel Hamzeh, MD (National Jewish Health)
Recipient of 2010-2011 FSR-ATS Partnership Grant for Sarcoidosis

Dr. Hamzeh is an Assistant Professor of medicine at National Jewish Health. He has received a two year $80,000 award for his research into the role of antioxidant therapy for this devastating lung disease. Dr. Hamzeh is mentored by Dr. Lisa Maier, a respected researcher interested in understanding susceptibility factors in the development of granulomatous lung diseases and factors which predispose people to more severe forms of the disease.

Studies have already shown that antioxidant therapy reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic beryllium disease, a disease that resembles sarcoidosis. Dr. Hamzeh is conducting a pilot study to see how antioxidant therapy affects oxidative stress in sarcoidosis.

Summary: "The Effect of an Antioxidant, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis"
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous lung disease predominantly affecting the lungs. Reactive oxidative species are produced secondary to oxidative stress and inflammation and can affect key cellular processes. We have shown a role for oxidative stress in chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a granulomatous disease that resembles sarcoidosis, and have also shown that antioxidant therapy reduces inflammation in CBD. Oxidative stress also plays a role in sarcoidosis but the exact mechanism and potential effect of antioxidant therapy on sarcoidosis is unknown. We propose conducting a pilot study investigating the effect of an antioxidant, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), on inflammation and oxidative stress in sarcoidosis. We will measure and compare markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the lungs of sarcoidosis patients before and after treatment with NAC. The results of our study will prepare us for a larger study investigating the role of NAC as a therapy for sarcoidosis with changes in lung function and x-ray as our primary outcome. This will provide us with a new non-toxic therapy for sarcoidosis that can be used on its own or to supplement other therapies minimizing their toxicity..

Research Aim: To conduct an 8 week pilot study investigating the effect of NAC on the inflammatory response and OS markers in the BAL-F and BAL cells of sarcoidosis patients not on immunosuppressive therapy.