RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Feasibility Study of Tissue and Blood Collection in Oncogene-addicted and Neoadjuvantly Treated Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

This study aims to figure out how practical it is to collect samples of blood and lung cancer tissue from patients. Researchers are focusing on two main groups: those with advanced lung cancer driven by specific genetic changes, and those with earlier-stage lung cancer receiving immune-boosting treatment before surgery. Collecting these samples helps scientists study the cancer's genetic makeup and other features. This information can reveal why some treatments work better than others and could lead to new, more targeted medicines in the future. Understanding these samples is especially important as new treatments, like immunotherapy, change how much active cancer tissue remains after treatment. The study will last four years, with patient involvement for the first three years.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

100

Start

04 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2029

Oncogene-addicted Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Early-stage Operable Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Locally Advanced NSCLC - Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage 2/3 Operable Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

What is this study about?

This study is a bit like a detective investigation, but for lung cancer. The main goal is to find out how easy and practical it is to collect tiny samples of blood and cancer tissue from people with lung cancer. This might sound simple, but getting good quality samples can sometimes be tricky. Researchers want to make sure they can get enough active cancer cells for testing.

Why is this important? These samples contain vital clues about the cancer. By studying them, scientists can learn more about the particular genetic changes that cause lung cancer to grow, and how these changes influence how well treatments work. For example, some people have lung cancers driven by specific genetic faults, and understanding these can help develop new medicines that specifically target those faults. For people with earlier-stage lung cancer, receiving treatments like immunotherapy before surgery can change the cancer, and studying samples helps us understand these changes and improve future treatments.

Ultimately, the better we understand lung cancer at this very detailed level, the greater our chances of developing more effective and personalised treatments for patients in the future. This study is a crucial step in gathering the necessary information to move that research forward. The study will collect samples over three years, with a further year for observation, and then analyse all the findings.

Key takeaways

This study helps understand lung cancer by collecting blood and tissue samples.
It focuses on advanced lung cancer with specific genetic changes and early-stage lung cancer before surgery.
The goal is to find better treatments by studying cancer at a molecular level.
Participation involves providing samples, often during routine medical procedures.
It could lead to future benefits for other lung cancer patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older. You might be suitable if you have lung cancer. There are two main groups of people they are looking for.

One group includes people with advanced lung cancer where specific genetic changes (like EGFR, ALK, ROS1) have been found. These are cancers with a known 'oncogene', meaning a gene that helps the cancer grow. You would also need to be planning to start a new targeted treatment for your cancer.

Another group includes people with earlier-stage lung cancer (Stage 2 or 3) that can be removed by surgery. For this group, you would need to be planning to have immunotherapy treatment before your surgery. In all cases, you should be well enough to take part in the study and commit to the required sample collection.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have non-small cell lung cancer?
If advanced, has your cancer been found to have specific genetic changes (like EGFR, ALK, ROS1)?
Are you planning to start a new targeted treatment for advanced cancer, or immunotherapy before surgery for earlier-stage cancer?
Are you generally well enough to undergo standard medical procedures like blood tests or biopsies?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, it would involve providing samples of your blood and cancer tissue. This will primarily happen around the time you start a new treatment or have surgery, depending on which group you are in. The tissue samples would typically be collected during a biopsy procedure or during surgery that you would already be having as part of your standard care. The study team would coordinate these collections to fit in with your existing treatment plan.

There are no specific extra medications involved in this study; it's about collecting samples to understand your existing treatment. You would have regular check-ups and monitoring for your cancer as normal, and the study would gather information during these times. Your involvement in providing samples would last for up to three years, though the study will continue to follow your health for an additional year after that.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might not directly benefit you, but the information gained from your samples could help future patients with lung cancer by leading to better treatments. The main risks are associated with the sample collection, for example, the discomfort or minor complications that can sometimes happen with blood tests or biopsies, though these are typically part of standard medical care. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of lung cancer are they studying?

They're studying non-small cell lung cancer, both advanced cases with specific genetic changes and earlier cases being treated before surgery.

What does 'oncogene-addicted' mean?

It means the cancer is driven by a specific faulty gene, like a 'switch' that keeps the cancer growing. Identifying these genes can help doctors choose targeted treatments.

Will I have extra procedures if I join?

The study aims to collect samples during procedures you would already have as part of your standard care, like blood tests, biopsies, or surgery.

How long will I be involved?

If you take part, you'll be involved in providing samples for up to three years, with the study continuing to follow your health for an extra year after that.

What will happen to my samples?

Your samples will be used by researchers to study the genetic makeup of lung cancer and look for markers that can help predict how treatments work.

How to find out more

Ashling Henderson, Senior Clinical Trial Manager

festival@rmh.nhs.uk +44 2031865916 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.