What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for lung cancer include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and increased risk of infections due to lowered blood cell counts. Immunotherapy, which includes drugs like pembrolizumab, can lead to immune-related side effects such as skin rash, diarrhea, and inflammation of organs like the lungs (pneumonitis) and liver (hepatitis). Radiation therapy may cause skin irritation, fatigue, and damage to nearby organs, potentially leading to issues like esophagitis or pneumonitis. These side effects vary in severity and occurrence based on individual patient factors and specific treatment regimens.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several treatments for lung cancer, including immunotherapy agents such as atezolizumab and durvalumab, which are used in combination with chemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pembrolizumab has also been approved for use with chemotherapy in advanced squamous NSCLC. Additionally, crizotinib is approved for ALK-positive NSCLC. Investigational approaches like Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) and proteomics assays are being studied for early detection and risk stratification of lung abnormalities.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to LDCT and proteomics assay for lung cancer patients include whole-body F18-fluoro-deoxyglucose PET/CT (FDG PET/CT) and advanced MRI techniques. FDG PET/CT has superior sensitivity for detecting occult disease and may reduce unnecessary procedures by identifying stage IV disease early. Advanced MRI techniques, particularly whole-body MRI, are rapidly improving and may offer faster acquisition times and better detection of bone and soft tissue metastases.

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Low Dose CT Scans for Lung Cancer Detection in Firefighters

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Lecia V Sequist, MD

Research Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

No personal history of lung cancer

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Any active cancer (undergoing treatment or diagnosed within the past 5 years)

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 12 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial uses special lung scans and protein tests to compare lung health between firefighters and non-firefighters, aiming to understand how job-related exposures affect lung conditions.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for current or retired firefighters aged 40-80, or those with at least 10 years of firefighting experience. Participants must be willing to undergo LDCT lung screening and have no personal history of lung cancer. Active cancer patients are excluded.

What is being tested?

The study is testing if Low Dose CT (LDCT) scans show different results in firefighters compared to non-firefighters, how job exposures affect scan findings, and if a proteomics assay can help assess the risk of detected lung nodules.

What are the potential side effects?

Low Dose CT scans are generally safe but may include exposure to low levels of radiation which carries a small risk of potentially harmful effects like cancer development over time.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I have never had lung cancer before.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last 5 years.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 12 months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~12 months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 12 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

High-risk nodule detection rate

Nodule detection rate

Secondary study objectives

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) ordinal scores

Interstitial lung disease detection rate

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Low-Dose CTExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Low Dose CT Scan of the Chest

0 / 2Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for lung cancer include targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and chemotherapy. Targeted therapies, such as EGFR and ALK inhibitors, work by specifically targeting and inhibiting the activity of mutated proteins that drive cancer growth, leading to reduced tumor proliferation. Immunotherapies, like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells by blocking the proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking tumors. Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. These treatments are crucial for lung cancer patients as they offer personalized and effective options that can improve survival rates and quality of life. The use of LDCT for early detection and proteomics assays for risk stratification further aids in identifying the most appropriate treatment plan, potentially leading to better outcomes.

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