Thymus gland may hold key to preventing immune cell loss during lung cancer treatment
NCT ID NCT07564089
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether the size and shape of the thymus gland, along with the radiation dose it receives, can predict a drop in immune cells (lymphocytes) during chest radiation for stage III lung cancer. Researchers will collect data from standard scans and blood tests of 450 adults receiving curative radiation, without changing their treatment. The goal is to find ways to design radiation plans that spare the immune system in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could help doctors design radiation treatments that better protect the immune system, potentially reducing side effects for future lung cancer patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, so it does not test a new treatment. The findings may not lead to immediate changes in care, and results might not apply to all patients.
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.
- Participants
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450 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2026
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2028
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.
Who is studied
This observational study will enroll adult patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are scheduled to receive definitive thoracic radiotherapy (with or without concurrent/sequential chemotherapy) at participating oncology centers. Patients are identified consecutively from radiation oncology departments during routine pre-radiotherapy planning visits. No experimental treatment or randomization is applied. The study population includes both treatment-naïve patients and those who may have received prior systemic therapy as long as they have not undergone prior thoracic radiotherapy or have persistent grade ≥3 lymphopenia at baseline. The target sample size is determined based on event-per-variable criteria. Both inpatients and outpatients are eligible. Recruitment is performed prospectively over an estimated period of 18-24 months. All enrolled patients must meet the full eligibilit.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Age ≥ 18 years; * Pathologically or cytologically confirmed primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a clinical stage of III (according to the 8th edition or latest version of the AJCC staging system); * Eligible for radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy to the chest, with a planned total dose of ≥50 Gy to the chest, using a fractionation schedule of 1.8-2.0 Gy per fraction (conventional fractionation) or a high-dose fractionation regimen permitted by the protocol; * Planned to undergo periodic blood tests before and after radiotherapy, including absolute lymphocyte count; * ECOG performance status of 0-2; * Able to undergo regular follow-up and provide blood samples and imaging evaluations as required by the protocol. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous history of thoracic or whole-body radiation therapy; * A diagnosis of radiation-induced lymphocytopenia or baseline lymphocytopenia graded ≥ Grade 2 (according to the CTCAE criteria) prior to study enrollment; * Patients with a history of or known primary immunodeficiency, active autoimmune disease, long-term systemic glucocorticoid therapy (prednisone-equivalent dose \> 10 mg/day), or long-term use of immunosuppressants following organ transplantation; * History of concurrent malignancy (excluding basal cell carcinoma of the skin or cervical carcinoma in situ that has been treated curatively and has been recurrence-free for at least 5 years); * Pregnant or lactating women; * Any other condition deemed by the investigator to render the subject unsuitable for participation in this clinical study, including severe hepatic, renal, hematologic, or other organ dysfunction; * Irreversible contraindications to the radiotherapy plan or dose delivery.
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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
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Jiangxi Cancer Hospital
Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330000, China
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