Ongoing Clinical Trials for Large Cell Lung Cancer Metastatic
There are currently 2 ongoing clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches for patients with large cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. These studies are being conducted in Germany, France, and Spain, testing combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs to improve patient outcomes.
Clinical trial locations
- France
- Germany
- Spain
Study on Atezolizumab, Carboplatin, and Etoposide for Adults with Advanced Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Lung Cancer
This trial is testing a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatments for patients with large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung, an aggressive form of lung cancer that grows and spreads quickly. The study aims to evaluate whether combining these treatments can improve patient survival.
Main inclusion criteria: To participate, you must be at least 18 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic large-cell neuroendocrine lung cancer that cannot be cured with surgery. If your cancer has mixed types, at least 50% must be this specific type. You should not have received previous systemic therapy, although previous curative treatment that ended at least 6 months ago is acceptable. You need to be reasonably active and able to perform daily activities, with an ECOG performance status of 0 to 2. Your cancer must be measurable according to specific medical criteria, and your organs must be functioning adequately, including appropriate levels of liver enzymes, bilirubin, creatinine, and blood cell counts.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you have received any other cancer treatment within the last 4 weeks, have a history of severe allergic reactions to the study drugs, or have active infections requiring treatment. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are not eligible. Patients with brain metastases that have not been treated and stabilized, active autoimmune diseases that are not stable, or a history of another type of cancer within the last 5 years are excluded. Those who have participated in another clinical trial within the last 4 weeks or have a history of drug or alcohol abuse within the last 12 months cannot join the study.
Focus and goal: The trial focuses on evaluating how well a combination of atezolizumab (an immunotherapy drug), platinum-based chemotherapy drugs (carboplatin or cisplatin), and etoposide works in treating this aggressive lung cancer. Researchers will monitor how the cancer responds to treatment, including changes in tumor size and how long it takes for the cancer to start growing again. The study will also carefully track any side effects that participants experience. All medications are given through intravenous infusion in cycles, with rest periods to allow the body to recover.
Investigational drugs: Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy medication that helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Platinum drugs (carboplatin or cisplatin) are chemotherapy medications that damage the DNA of cancer cells, stopping them from growing and dividing. Etoposide is another chemotherapy drug that interferes with DNA inside cancer cells to prevent them from dividing and growing.
Study on the Safety and Effects of ATL001 and Pembrolizumab in Adults with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
This trial is exploring a new personalized treatment approach using ATL001, a special type of cell therapy that targets specific mutations found in cancer cells. The study examines how ATL001 works both alone and in combination with pembrolizumab, an already-approved cancer medication. The research aims to provide new treatment options for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, which includes large cell carcinoma.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be between 18 and 75 years old with a life expectancy of at least 6 months. Your diagnosis must be advanced non-small cell lung cancer related to smoking that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. The cancer must have worsened after standard treatments, or you cannot receive standard treatments due to side effects. You must be well enough to receive the study treatment, with an ECOG performance status of 0 to 1. Before joining, you must have been treated with a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and experienced either disease progression or stable disease after at least four doses. Your cancer must be measurable according to specific medical guidelines, and you must have adequate organ function as shown by blood test results. Female patients of childbearing age must agree to use effective birth control and take pregnancy tests, while male patients must also use appropriate birth control methods.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients with other types of cancer besides non-small cell lung cancer cannot participate. Those outside the specified age range, unable to follow study procedures, or with certain medical conditions that might interfere with the study are excluded. Patients taking medications that might interfere with the study, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those who have recently participated in another clinical trial may not be eligible. A history of allergic reactions to the study drugs also excludes participation.
Focus and goal: The main goal is to assess the safety and tolerability of ATL001 as a treatment for this type of lung cancer. The study involves collecting tumor tissue to manufacture personalized ATL001 therapy, which may require a procedure under general anesthetic. Before receiving ATL001, patients undergo lymphodepletion, a process that involves taking medications called fludarabine and cyclophosphamide to prepare the body for treatment. ATL001 is then given through intravenous infusion, and in some cases, it is combined with pembrolizumab. Throughout the study, researchers closely monitor patients with regular check-ups and imaging studies to track how the cancer responds to treatment and to check for side effects. The study measures changes in tumor size and overall health outcomes.
Investigational drugs: ATL001 is a personalized therapy that uses special immune cells called T cells, which are designed to recognize and attack cancer cells. The T cells target specific proteins on cancer cells, helping the immune system fight the disease. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy medication that blocks a protein called PD-1, which prevents the immune system from attacking cancer cells. By blocking this protein, pembrolizumab helps the immune system detect and fight cancer more effectively.
Summary
Both trials represent innovative approaches to treating advanced lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The first trial focuses specifically on large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and is being conducted in Germany, combining established chemotherapy drugs with the newer immunotherapy agent atezolizumab. The second trial, available in Germany, France, and Spain, explores cutting-edge personalized cell therapy using ATL001, either alone or combined with pembrolizumab, for patients with non-small cell lung cancer including large cell carcinoma.
A notable observation is that both studies emphasize immunotherapy approaches, reflecting current trends in cancer treatment that harness the body’s immune system to fight disease. The geographic concentration of trials in European countries, particularly Germany’s participation in both studies, suggests active research engagement in these regions. The second trial’s broader geographic reach across three countries may offer more access points for eligible patients.
These studies require participants to meet specific health criteria and have adequate organ function, highlighting the importance of being reasonably healthy despite having advanced cancer. Both trials carefully monitor patients throughout treatment, emphasizing safety alongside effectiveness evaluation.
