Blood test may replace painful lung biopsies for some cancer patients
NCT ID NCT02372448
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a blood test can detect ALK gene rearrangements in lung cancer patients, which currently requires an invasive tumor biopsy. Researchers analyzed circulating tumor cells from blood samples of 206 patients with advanced lung cancer. The goal was to see if this 'liquid biopsy' is accurate enough to guide treatment decisions, potentially avoiding the risks and costs of traditional biopsies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
ALK analysis on circulating tumor cells detected by ISET method
What this could lead to
If successful, this blood test could replace invasive lung biopsies for detecting ALK gene changes, helping more lung cancer patients get targeted therapy without risky procedures.
What could go wrong
This is a validation study, not a treatment trial. The test may not be sensitive enough to replace biopsies, and results may not apply to all lung cancer types or stages.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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CHU de Nice
Nice, France
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Centre Antoine Lacassagne
Nice, 06100, France
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Centre François Baclesse
Caen, 14000, France
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Grenoble university hospital
Grenoble, 38043, France
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Hôpital Tenon
Paris, 75020, France
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Institut Gustave Roussy
Villejuif, 94800, France
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Institut arnault tzanck
Saint-Laurent-du-Var, 06700, France
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Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine
Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, 54500, France
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Marseille University Hospital
Marseille, 13915, France
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Nancy university hospital
Nancy, 54511, France
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Toulouse University Hospital
Toulouse, 31059, France