Ongoing Clinical Trials for Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage IV
There are currently 2 clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches for patients with advanced lung cancer. These studies are evaluating combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy medications to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.
Clinical trial locations
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
Study on Atezolizumab, Carboplatin, and Etoposide for Adults with Advanced Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Lung Cancer
This trial is investigating the effectiveness of combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy for treating large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung, an aggressive type of lung cancer that grows and spreads quickly.
Who can participate:
You may be eligible if you have been diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma that cannot be cured with surgery or radiation. If your cancer has mixed types, the large-cell component should make up at least half. You must not have received previous systemic therapy, though you can participate if your cancer returned at least 6 months after completing curative treatment.
You need to be at least 18 years old and have an ECOG performance status between 0 and 2, meaning you should be able to perform daily activities with varying degrees of independence. The cancer must be measurable according to specific medical criteria, and your organs must be functioning adequately, including your liver, kidneys, and blood cell counts.
Who cannot participate:
You cannot join this study if you have received any cancer treatment in the past 4 weeks or have participated in another clinical trial during that time. The trial excludes patients with severe allergic reactions to the study medications, active infections requiring treatment, brain metastases unless they are treated and stable, or autoimmune diseases unless in a stable condition. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are also excluded, as well as those with a history of another cancer unless it has been in remission for at least 5 years. Patients with serious medical conditions that could interfere with the study or a history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year are not eligible.
What the trial involves:
The study tests a combination of Atezolizumab, an immunotherapy medication that helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, along with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs Carboplatin or Cisplatin, and Etoposide. These medications are given directly into your bloodstream through an intravenous infusion. The treatment is administered in cycles, with rest periods in between to allow your body to recover. Throughout the trial, you will be regularly monitored with physical exams, blood tests, and imaging studies to track your response to treatment and manage any side effects. The study aims to evaluate how well this combination improves survival and how the cancer responds over time.
Study on the Effect of Ivonescimab, Pemetrexed, and Carboplatin in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR Mutation After Previous Treatment
This trial focuses on patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has specific genetic changes called EGFR mutations and has continued to grow despite previous targeted treatments.
Who can participate:
You may be eligible if you have locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with confirmed EGFR activating mutations. The cancer must have progressed after previous treatment with EGFR-TKI medications, which are drugs that target these genetic mutations. You need to have at least one measurable tumor outside the brain and major organs that function within specific normal ranges.
Your performance status should be 0 or 1 on the ECOG scale, meaning you should be fully active or able to do light work despite having some symptoms. You must have a life expectancy of at least 3 months. If you are of childbearing potential, you must agree to use highly effective contraception during the study.
Who cannot participate:
The trial excludes patients who do not have the specific type of lung cancer being studied or who have not previously been treated with EGFR-TKI therapy. Patients who fall outside the specified age range or are considered part of a vulnerable population requiring special protection are also excluded.
What the trial involves:
This is a double-blind study, meaning neither you nor your doctors will know whether you are receiving the experimental drug ivonescimab or a placebo. Both groups will also receive the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and carboplatin. Pemetrexed works by interfering with cancer cells’ ability to make and repair DNA, while carboplatin damages cancer cell DNA to prevent them from dividing. Ivonescimab targets specific proteins involved in cancer cell growth. All medications are given through an intravenous drip directly into your bloodstream.
The treatment phase lasts up to 24 weeks, during which you will have regular appointments for monitoring. This includes blood tests, imaging scans, and assessments of your overall well-being. The study team will closely watch for any side effects or adverse reactions. After treatment, follow-up visits will continue to assess your long-term response and health status. The goal is to compare overall survival and progression-free survival between patients receiving ivonescimab and those receiving the placebo.
Summary
Two clinical trials are currently recruiting patients with advanced lung cancer, each targeting different types and treatment situations. The first study in Germany focuses on large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, while the second spans France, Italy, and Spain and is specifically for patients with EGFR mutations who have already tried targeted therapy. Both trials combine chemotherapy with immunotherapy approaches, reflecting the current direction in cancer treatment research. The multi-country European trial demonstrates international collaboration in finding better treatment options for patients whose cancer has not responded to initial therapies. These studies offer opportunities for patients who may have limited conventional treatment options.
