Radiation boost may help immunotherapy fight lung cancer

NCT ID NCT03176173

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether adding high-dose, precisely targeted radiation to standard immunotherapy can improve outcomes for people with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Forty-five adults who were already on immunotherapy received radiation to some of their tumors. Researchers measured how long the cancer stayed under control and whether tumors shrank.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) plus immunotherapy (anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1)

What this could lead to

If it works, this combination could help control metastatic lung cancer better than immunotherapy alone.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed phase II trial with only 45 participants. Results may not apply to all patients, and radiation can cause side effects like fatigue or lung inflammation.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

non-small cell lung carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Stanford University, School of Medicine

    Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States