Nodule IMmunophenotyping Biomarker for Lung Cancer Early Diagnosis Study

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious cancers in the UK. Unfortunately, it's often caught at a later stage, which makes it harder to treat. However, more people are now having CT scans, sometimes for other reasons, and also through new lung health checks. These scans often pick up small spots or shadows in the lungs, called nodules. Most of these nodules are harmless, but some can be early signs of cancer. This can be a worrying time for patients and creates a challenge for doctors to work out which nodules need closer attention.

Currently, doctors use guidelines and risk scores to decide if a nodule needs to be monitored or investigated further, often with more scans or a biopsy. This study, called NIMBLE, is looking for better ways to make these decisions. It's using advanced computer techniques, like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to analyse both blood test results and detailed information from CT scans. The goal is to see if these technologies can help tell the difference between harmless nodules and lung cancer more accurately.

Specifically, the study is interested in nodules found in people who have had cancer before. It wants to learn if AI can help determine if a new cancerous nodule is a spread from their previous cancer or a brand new lung cancer. By doing this, NIMBLE hopes to develop a more reliable and quicker way to diagnose lung cancer early, especially when nodules are first found. This could reduce anxiety for patients with harmless nodules and ensure those with cancer get the right treatment sooner.