Ongoing Clinical Trials for Recurrent Lung Carcinoma
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial for patients with recurrent lung carcinoma of unspecified cell type. This study is taking place in Italy and focuses on combining chest radiation therapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who have responded to initial treatment.
Clinical trial locations
Study of Durvalumab with Thoracic Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Patients with Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer After Initial Treatment
This study is designed for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who have already responded well to their first round of treatment. The research team is investigating whether adding chest radiation therapy alongside an immunotherapy drug called durvalumab can help patients live longer without their cancer getting worse.
Who can participate:
- Adults between 18 and 80 years of age
- Patients with confirmed extensive-stage small cell lung cancer based on tissue examination
- Those who have completed up to 4 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy plus durvalumab and have shown complete response, partial response, or stable disease
- Patients who have had imaging tests including chest and abdomen CT scans, bone scans or PET-CT scans, and brain MRI
- Those in good physical condition, able to care for themselves and be active more than half of their waking hours
- Patients with normal lung function and a treatment target area less than 600 cubic centimeters
- Body weight more than 30 kilograms
- No previous radiation therapy to the chest area
Who cannot participate:
- Patients with a history of other cancers in the past 5 years, except for certain skin or cervical cancers that were successfully treated
- Those with active or previous autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy cells
- Patients currently taking medications that suppress the immune system
- Those with active or untreated cancer spread to the brain
- Patients with uncontrolled heart conditions such as heart failure, high blood pressure, or irregular heart rhythms
- Those with active infections requiring treatment
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Patients with previous treatment using immune checkpoint inhibitors
- Those with significant liver problems or active tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infections
What the study involves:
The trial follows a structured approach over several phases. First, participants receive initial treatment combining chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin or carboplatin together with etoposide) along with durvalumab through an IV infusion for up to 4 cycles. The medical team then evaluates how well the cancer responds using imaging tests.
After completing the initial treatment phase, patients continue receiving durvalumab alone as maintenance therapy through IV infusion. During this phase, they also receive thoracic radiation therapy targeting the chest area. The radiation helps control cancer cells in the chest while the immunotherapy continues to help the body’s immune system fight the disease.
Throughout the study, regular medical assessments track progress for at least 12 months. These include imaging tests to check for any signs of disease progression, monitoring for side effects, and evaluating overall health status. Quality of life assessments are also conducted throughout the study period. Long-term follow-up continues until January 2028 to monitor overall survival and any late effects of treatment.
Investigational drugs used:
Durvalumab is the primary immunotherapy medication being tested in this study. It helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells by blocking a protein that cancer cells use to hide from the body’s natural defenses. The drug is given through IV infusion at a maximum daily dose of 1,500 milligrams, and treatment may continue for up to 15 months.
Cisplatin and carboplatin are platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. They work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. Carboplatin is similar to cisplatin but often causes fewer side effects, making it a suitable alternative for some patients.
Etoposide is another chemotherapy medication that stops cancer cells from growing and dividing. It blocks an enzyme that cancer cells need to survive.
In addition to these medications, thoracic radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays targeted at the chest area to destroy cancer cells remaining in the thorax after chemotherapy.
Summary
Currently, patients with recurrent lung carcinoma have access to one clinical trial located in Italy. This study specifically targets patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who have already responded to initial treatment. The research combines multiple treatment approaches including chemotherapy, immunotherapy with durvalumab, and chest radiation therapy. The focus on combining these treatments reflects current efforts to improve outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer by using the body’s immune system alongside traditional cancer treatments. The study is designed to determine how long patients can live without their cancer progressing after receiving this combination approach.