Microplastic Pollution for Lung Cancer
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to explore the potential link between microplastics (tiny plastic particles) in the lungs and lung cancer. Researchers will study patients scheduled for a bronchoscopy (a procedure to look inside the lungs) and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL, a lung washing procedure). Participants will be divided into groups with and without lung cancer to examine differences in microplastic levels. Eligible patients must speak English or Spanish and be scheduled for a bronchoscopy at Moffitt. As an unphased trial, this study offers patients the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could provide new insights into the causes of lung cancer.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) is safe?
Research has shown that Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) is generally safe. This procedure involves gently rinsing part of the lungs to collect cells and other substances for testing. Studies have found that most patients tolerate BAL well.
However, some people might feel a little discomfort during the procedure. In rare cases, minor issues like slight bleeding can occur, but these are uncommon. BAL is often used successfully to diagnose lung conditions, including infections and cancers. Overall, the safety of BAL is well-established, as it is a standard method in lung diagnostics.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how microplastic (MP) pollution in the human respiratory system might be linked to lung cancer. Unlike standard treatments that focus on removing or killing cancer cells, this investigation aims to understand a potential underlying cause of lung cancer. By examining the presence and impact of MPs, scientists hope to uncover new insights that could lead to innovative prevention strategies or therapies. This approach could potentially shift the focus from treatment to prevention, offering a new angle in the fight against lung cancer.
What evidence suggests that Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) is effective for studying microplastic burden in lung cancer?
This trial will use bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to assess lung conditions. Studies have shown that BAL successfully identifies lung cancer in about four out of ten cases. Research indicates that BAL is quite accurate, with an 85% chance of correctly detecting cancer when present. Although the success rate can vary, BAL remains a helpful tool for detecting lung issues. It can also identify other diseases like tuberculosis and certain types of pneumonia. Overall, BAL provides valuable insights into lung health.23567
Who Is on the Research Team?
Kathleen M Egan, ScD
Principal Investigator
Moffitt Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Bronchoscopy/Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
Participants undergo bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) to collect samples for microplastic analysis
Analysis
Microplastic burden in the lungs is characterized using Raman spectroscopy
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after sample collection
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Lung Cancer excluded cases will be comprised of the remaining patients in whom lung cancer is excluded as a diagnosis based on bronchoscopy/ Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) and other clinical testing.
Lung Cancer cases will be comprised of patients that are confirmed to have lung cancer based on bronchoscopy/ Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) and other clinical testing.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Diagnostic agreement between bronchoalveolar lavage ...
The results demonstrate a substantial level of agreement (70.19%) with a kappa statistic of 0.52 for neoplastic diseases. These findings ...
Diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage in the investigation ...
Conclusion: Despite its frequent use in evaluating lung cancer, BAL had a low diagnostic yield of 18% at our center before the COVID-19 era. Several factors ...
Diagnostic utility of bronchoalveolar lavage in pulmonary ...
BAL demonstrated high efficacy in identifying malignancies (PPV: 85%) and specific infections such as tuberculosis and fungal pneumonia.
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid assessment facilitates ...
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is a potential liquid biopsy medium that is rich in a variety of bioactive substances and cell components.
5.
journals.lww.com
journals.lww.com/ecdt/fulltext/2023/72030/bronchoalveolar_lavage_in_lung_cancer__does_it.4.aspxBronchoalveolar lavage in lung cancer: does it increase ...
Results. BAL positive yield was found in 42.4% of cases, and its yield coincided with other bronchoscopic sampling methods in 43.6% of cases. Regarding CT ...
Bronchoalveolar Lavage - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH
In addition, caution should be exercised when the epithelial cell count exceeds 5%, as this suggests a suboptimal sample.
Diagnostic agreement between bronchoalveolar lavage ...
Among the malignancy group, BAL yielded positive results for cancer in 49 patients, whereas TBLB confirmed malignancy in 64 patients, ...
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