Italian study tests smarter lung cancer screening: fewer scans, same Life-Saving power?
NCT ID NCT05766046
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This Italian study is testing whether heavy smokers can be screened for lung cancer just as effectively with a CT scan every two years instead of every year, and whether a simple blood test can help catch cancers early. Over 7,300 current or former heavy smokers are taking part across 18 centers. The goal is to make lung cancer screening more practical and less burdensome, while also offering smoking cessation support.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-dose CT scan and blood test for microRNA biomarkers
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could make lung cancer screening more efficient by using less frequent CT scans and blood tests, catching cancer early while reducing radiation exposure and costs.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational screening study, not a treatment trial. The blood test may not prove reliable enough to replace CT scans, and results may not apply to non-Italian populations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 7,324 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2022
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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55 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Active smoker (≥ 30 packs/year) * Former heavy smoker for ≤ 15 years (≥ 30 packs/year) * Absence of tumors for at least 5 years * Signature of informed consent for studio enrollment and processing of personal data Exclusion Criteria: * Severe chronic disease (e.g. severe respiratory and/or renal and/or hepatic and/or cardiac failure) * Severe psychiatric problems * Abuse of alcohol or other substances (including previous)
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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
Locations
-
Chiara Bovolenta
Milan, MI, 20133, Italy
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