Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Clinical Trials

Diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) you may be eligible to participate in cutting-edge clinical trials. Researchers design these trials to explore innovative and promising options specifically tailored to your genetic profile, potentially offering more effective and personalized therapeutic options.

Early-stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is typically confined to the lungs and nearby lymph nodes, making it more amenable to surgical intervention, often the only treatment needed. Common surgical options include lobectomy (removal of an entire lobe of the lung), segmentectomy (removal of part of a lobe), and pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lung), with lobectomy being the most common.

For patients with Stage I NSCLC at higher risk of recurrence, based on tumor size, location, or other factors, adjuvant treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and possibly targeted therapies may be recommended post-surgery to lower the risk of cancer returning. Numerous clinical trials focus on innovative options and therapies tailored to specific genetic profiles, offering the potential for improved outcomes.

Treated NSCLC: Refers to cancer that has received medical interventions such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy to manage and control the disease. Some clinical trials may require patients to have received prior options to be eligible for innovative new therapies.

Untreated NSCLC: Refers to cancer that has not yet received any form of oncologic option, including systemic therapies or specific medications. This can apply to any stage of the disease, from early to advanced stages.

Resectable NSCLC: Refers to cancer that can be surgically removed, typically confined to the lungs and nearby lymph nodes without extensive spread. This generally includes Early (Stage I), Localized (Stage II) and some cases of Stage IIIA.

Unresectable NSCLC: Refers to cancer that cannot be surgically removed due to its size, location, or extent of spread to other parts of the body. This usually includes Stages IIIB and IV, and some cases of Stage IIIA, requiring alternative treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy.

After surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), doctors want to do everything they can to stop the cancer from coming back. So, they might give you extra treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy; this is called adjuvant therapy.

NGS Biomarkers and Their Importance in NSCLC

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is crucial for identifying key biomarkers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), which help guide personalized options and determine eligibility for clinical trials, especially in early-stage NSCLC. These are some important biomarkers:

EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor): is a protein found on the surface of some cells in your body. It plays a key role in regulating cell growth and division. In certain types of lung cancer, the EGFR protein is mutated or overactive, causing cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to tumor growth. Targeted therapies have been developed to specifically block the activity of EGFR thereby slowing down or stopping the cancer’s progression. If genomic testing reveals that your tumor has an EGFR mutation, you might be an ideal candidate for Early-Stage NSCLC clinical trials.

KRAS (Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog): KRAS mutations drive cancer cell proliferation and are common in NSCLC. Emerging therapies are being tested to address these mutations.

ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) Rearrangement Positive: ALK rearrangements lead to abnormal cell signaling and growth. Trials test the efficacy of ALK inhibitors for these patients.

ROS1 Rearrangement Positive: ROS1 rearrangements cause abnormal cell growth similar to ALK rearrangements. Trials focus on ROS1 inhibitors for these patients.

BRAF V600E Mutation Positive: BRAF V600E mutations result in uncontrolled cell division. Trials evaluate the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitors for these mutations.

NTRK1/2/3 Gene Fusion Positive: NTRK gene fusions create abnormal proteins that drive cancer growth. Trials assess TRK inhibitors for these fusions.

METex14 Skipping Mutation Positive: MET exon 14 skipping mutations lead to prolonged MET signaling, promoting cancer growth. Trials test MET inhibitors for these mutations.

RET Rearrangement Positive: RET rearrangements activate abnormal cell signaling pathways. Clinical trials focus on RET inhibitors for these patients.

ERBB2 (HER2) Mutation Positive: HER2 mutations cause excessive cell growth and division. Trials investigate HER2 inhibitors’ impact on NSCLC with these mutations.

Relevance of biomarkers in Early-Stage NSCLC Clinical Trials:

Identifying these biomarkers is essential for finding the best targeted therapies for early-stage NSCLC. Clinical trials are constantly evolving to test the effectiveness of these options, aiming to improve patient outcomes, reduce recurrence rates, and enhance the overall quality of life for patients with NSCLC. Additionally, there are clinical trials that focus on patients with non-mutated Early Stage NSCLC, ensuring that everyone has access to potential new options.

Early stage NSCLC clinical trials incorporate the most recent breakthroughs in medical science and technology to accurately and effectively target your lung cancer.

Tailored Approach: Understanding that every patient is unique, especially those dealing with Early Stage NSCLC, we customize a plan to suit your specific requirements and medical history.

Dedicated Support: Throughout your journey, our team of knowledgeable clinical experts will be by your side, providing personalized advice and support. We are ready to answer any questions you may have about NSCLC and ongoing research studies. By signing up for our matching program, you’re taking an active role in exploring new opportunities and gaining access to innovative therapy that can potentially transform your life.

Cancer is an unfortunate reality that touches most of us at some point in our lives. If you or a loved one has cancer, you may have heard or read that clinical trials could offer access to innovative new options. But what exactly is a clinical trial? In this video, Massive Bio co-founder Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, explains how clinical trials work, what to expect if you enroll in one, and why a clinical trial can be an important option for many cancer patients.

We dream of the day when cancer disappears from our lives. Massive Bio is working tirelessly on achieving that goal.