Research Programs

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As part of our mission to provide the best care possible to children with pediatric rheumatic conditions, our team participates in various research activities. These research activities are focused on better understanding the course of childhood rheumatic diseases and the most effective and safe way to treat them, all with the aim of improving the lives of children and their families who are affected by these rare disorders. Please learn more about our current research activities.

ANCA Vasculitis

ANCA vasculitis is an autoimmune disease caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the body. Dr. Eveline Wu is collaborating with the UNC Kidney Center to better understand what causes ANCA vasculitis and to identify better and safer treatments. Patients participate by enrolling through in the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network (GDCN) Registry. Dr. Eveline Wu also participates in clinical trials focused on innovative treatments for ANCA vasculitis.

CARRA

The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) is a group of pediatric rheumatologists and researchers who aim to conduct collaborative research to prevent, treat, and cure pediatric rheumatic diseases. We are proud that all of our providers are active members of CARRA. The cornerstone project of CARRA is the CARRA Registry, and UNC Children’s is a participating site. The CARRA Registry is a registry of children and young adults with childhood-onset rheumatic conditions including juvenile arthritis, lupus, and juvenile dermatomyositis. Through CARRA, our providers also participate in studies that help identify effective and safe treatments for children with rheumatic diseases.

Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO)/Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare, autoinflammatory bone condition that mostly affects children and adolescents. Our providers are involved in several exciting research projects focused on improving the care of children with CRMO. CHOIR (CHronic nonbacterial Osteomyelitis International Registry) is a registry of children with CRMO, and the objective is to study the natural history of the disease and the response of participants to different treatment regimens. Dr. Eveline Wu is part of an international collaboration to develop classification criteria for CRMO that are endorsed by the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism societies. Dr. Eveline Wu is also part of a working group through the OMERACT initiative to develop outcome measures that can be used in future studies of CRMO.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

UNC Children’s is a clinical center for the Genetic Disorders of Mucociliary Clearance Consortium (GDMCC). Dr. Eveline Wu is collaborating with researchers to identify markers that may help distinguish primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) from other primary immunodeficiencies. PCD is caused by malfunctioning tiny microscopic hair-like structures called cilia, which line the entire respiratory tract (lungs, nose, sinuses, and middle ear). Symptoms of PCD can overlap with those of primary immunodeficiencies and include chronic cough, recurrent infections of the lung (bronchitis and/or pneumonia), scarring of the airways (bronchiectasis), chronic sinusitis, and ear infections. Distinguishing between PCD and primary immunodeficiencies can be challenging, but is very important since they may require different treatment and have different outcomes.

CARRA (Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance) Registry

CHOIR: CHronic nonbacterial Osteomyelitis International Registry

LIMIT JIA: Preventing Extension of Oligoarticular JIA

MANDARA: Benralizumab in the Treatment of EGPA

GDCN (Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network) Registry

Upper Airway Manifestations in PCD and PID

Defining the Genetic Etiology of Suppurative Lung Disease In Children and Adults

Our Researchers