Blood test may tell doctors when to add chemo to immunotherapy for lung cancer

NCT ID NCT04093167

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Canadian Cancer Trials Group Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether a simple blood test that measures cancer DNA (ctDNA) can help doctors decide when to add chemotherapy to the standard immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab for people with advanced lung cancer. About 230 participants will be enrolled. The goal is to see if this personalized approach improves how long people live without their cancer growing.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Pembrolizumab (immunotherapy) plus chemotherapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that using a blood test to guide treatment decisions leads to better control of lung cancer and longer survival.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase study with a small number of participants. The approach may not improve outcomes and could add side effects from extra chemotherapy.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

lung cancer lung neoplasm non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LUNG CANCER NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Algoma District Cancer Program

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6B 0A8, Canada
BCCA - Vancouver

Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4E6, Canada
Cross Cancer Institute

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
Health Sciences North

Greater Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1, Canada
Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences

Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 5C2, Canada
Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Kingston, Ontario, K7L 2V7, Canada
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada
The Jewish General Hospital

Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States
The University of Chicago Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
University Health Network

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada

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