Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Researchers are evaluating new imaging techniques in adults aged 18 to 85 with lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, COPD, bronchiectasis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, alpha 1-anti-trypsin deficiency, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The study aims to develop tools for analyzing lung function and structure using hyperpolarized Xenon 129 MRI alongside pulmonary function tests. This research is supported by Western University, Canada. Participants will undergo a series of tests during a one to two-hour visit, including medical history review, vital signs measurement, full pulmonary function testing following American Thoracic Society guidelines, proton MRI, specialized 129-Xe MRI scans using chest coils, and a low-dose thoracic CT scan. The MRI procedure includes monitoring heart rate and oxygen levels, providing hearing protection, and offering supplemental oxygen as needed. These imaging and testing methods help assess lung ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange. During the study visit, participants will complete pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, plethysmography, and diffusing capacity tests. They will undergo magnetic resonance imaging with hyperpolarized Xenon gas to visualize lung airways and anatomy, along with CT scans matched to MRI breathing maneuvers. Researchers will measure ventilation defect percent (VDP), apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC), and dissolved phase spectroscopy over five years. Participant safety is monitored throughout the visit, and the total study duration includes these assessments and follow-up measures.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a new molecular probe called 18F-FAPI-YQ104, which targets fibroblast activation protein (FAP), for early tumor diagnosis. This observational study focuses on patients with lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and thyroid cancer. The goal is to verify how well this probe works in detecting tumors during clinical use. Participants will receive an intravenous injection of the 18F-FAPI-YQ104 probe followed by a PET-CT examination to capture detailed images of tumor lesions. The study will observe the probe's uptake in tumor sites, measured by SUVmax values 60 minutes after administration. No additional treatment is given; instead, the study monitors the imaging results to assess the probe's diagnostic potential. During the study, participants will undergo PET-CT scans and other imaging tests such as CT or MRI. Researchers will evaluate the images to measure tumor activity and probe uptake. Safety assessments include checking kidney and liver function, blood counts, and monitoring for allergic reactions. The study will last from April 2025 to March 2026 and includes adults aged 18 to 75 years who have confirmed tumors and meet health criteria.

Researchers are evaluating the diagnostic value of a new protein-specific probe called 18F-T2 in PET/CT imaging for people with solid tumors that are likely to express high levels of CAIX protein. The study will also assess how safe and tolerable the 18F-T2 injection is, as well as measure its radiation dosage. This research is important to better understand how well 18F-T2 can detect these tumors compared to standard imaging techniques. Participants with tumors suspected to express high levels of CAIX will receive an intravenous injection of 18F-T2. About an hour after the injection, PET/CT imaging will be performed to capture detailed images of the tumors. Within one week, participants will also undergo a whole-body PET/CT scan using 18F-FDG, a commonly used imaging agent, to allow comparison between the two imaging methods. During the study, participants will be monitored for any adverse events within 24 hours after the 18F-T2 injection to evaluate safety and tolerability. Researchers will measure the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 18F-T2 PET/CT for detecting CAIX-positive tumors. They will also assess uptake values in tumors on both 18F-T2 and 18F-FDG scans, analyze the correlation between 18F-T2 uptake and CAIX expression in tissue samples, and evaluate radiation dosimetry. The study will continue until one month after completion for outcome assessments.

Researchers are evaluating a new preoperative method using three-dimensional CT scans and virtual resection simulation to predict lung function after surgery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). This study aims to improve accuracy over traditional methods by accounting for differences in lung ventilation caused by tumors or emphysema. It is a prospective, multi-center, longitudinal cohort study involving 60 patients split evenly between those having lobectomy and segmentectomy. Participants will undergo detailed thin-slice chest CT scans and pulmonary function tests before surgery. Using Synapse 3-D software, doctors will create patient-specific 3-D lung models to simulate the planned lung tissue removal and calculate the fraction of ventilated lung to be resected. After surgery, patients will follow standard VATS procedures. The study includes long-term follow-up with pulmonary function tests at 3, 6, and 12 months and CT scans at 6 and 12 months to observe structural lung changes. During the study, participants will have preoperative assessments, surgery, and several postoperative visits for lung function tests and imaging. Researchers will measure how closely the predicted lung function matches actual results at 3 months, as well as longer-term accuracy at 6 and 12 months. They will also study how well the remaining lung compensates after surgery and the effect of any complications on recovery. The total participation spans about one year after surgery, allowing detailed evaluation of lung function and recovery.

Researchers are developing advanced four-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (4D-MRI) techniques to create detailed, moving images of the lungs and liver in adults. This imaging method produces three-dimensional movies that capture organ motion during breathing, which is important for improving radiation therapy planning for lung and liver cancer patients. The study aims to overcome challenges in current imaging methods to better target tumors that move with respiration. The study includes two main parts: technical development of ultra-quality 4D-MRI in healthy volunteers and evaluation of the technique in cancer patients. This involves creating a new MRI pulse sequence and image reconstruction process to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution with minimal motion artifacts. Researchers will compare the new 4D-MRI method to existing imaging and registration techniques in both healthy volunteers and patients with lung or liver tumors undergoing radiation therapy. Participants will undergo a single imaging session lasting up to two hours involving 4D-MRI scans. Healthy volunteers and cancer patients will be assessed to measure image quality and accuracy of motion modeling. The study will monitor how well the 4D-MRI technique captures tumor movement compared to current methods. The total participation time is limited to the imaging session, with no long-term follow-up mentioned.

Researchers are evaluating a new dual-target imaging agent called 68Ga-FAPI-RGD for PET/CT scans in patients with lung cancer. This agent targets both fibroblast activating protein (FAP) on tumor tissues and integrin b1vb23 receptors on blood vessels, aiming to improve visualization of lung cancer lesions. The study compares this novel agent with conventional 18F-FDG and single-target agents 68Ga-FAPI and 68Ga-RGD to overcome limitations of current imaging methods. Participants will receive intravenous injections of the imaging agents, including 68Ga-FAPI-RGD, 18F-FDG, 68Ga-FAPI, and 68Ga-RGD, at doses based on body weight. Each patient undergoes PET/CT scans within two weeks after receiving 68Ga-FAPI-RGD and one of the other agents. Three experimental groups compare 68Ga-FAPI-RGD with either 18F-FDG, 68Ga-FAPI, or 68Ga-RGD to assess diagnostic performance. During the study, participants will have PET/CT scans and monitoring for diagnostic accuracy over about one year. Researchers will evaluate the imaging agents' uptake at different times and radiation dosimetry. The trial includes assessments of lung cancer lesions using these agents to understand their ability to detect tumors effectively. Participants' safety and study compliance are monitored throughout the trial period.

Researchers are evaluating the use of 68Ga-grazytracer PET imaging to help diagnose pseudoprogression in lung cancer patients after immunotherapy. Pseudoprogression is difficult to distinguish with current clinical methods, which often require follow-up observations that may not meet clinical needs. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of this novel imaging agent, which targets granzyme B to show the activity of cytotoxic T cells in tumor areas. This observational study uses 68Ga-grazytracer PET/CT scans to visualize and semi-quantitatively measure granzyme B concentration in lung cancer lesions that have enlarged or developed new lesions after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. The study follows patients for 4-8 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks, to evaluate the diagnostic performance of this imaging method in detecting pseudoprogression. Participants will undergo PET/CT imaging and be monitored over the follow-up period to assess changes and outcomes. Researchers will collect data on diagnostic accuracy and safety during this time. The study includes adult lung cancer patients aged 18 to 75 years who meet specific clinical criteria and have a life expectancy of at least six months. Total participation duration varies with the follow-up period, and patient compliance with study requirements is monitored throughout.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing and aggressive type of lung cancer that makes up about 15% of all lung cancers. It often spreads early and has a low survival rate for advanced stages. This trial evaluates a new imaging probe called PFD3, which targets a protein called DLL3 found in most SCLC cases, to improve diagnosis and staging compared to the current standard imaging method, [18F]-FDG PET/CT. The study aims to better distinguish limited-stage from extensive-stage disease to guide treatment options more accurately. Participants will undergo two diagnostic imaging scans within one week: the standard [18F]-FDG PET/CT and the new [68Ga]Ga-PFD3 PET/CT. PFD3 uses a specially designed small antibody fragment that binds specifically to DLL3, allowing targeted imaging of tumors. This same-day imaging approach may offer improved specificity and convenience. The trial will assess the safety and performance of the PFD3 probe and directly compare it with the existing FDG scan. During the study, researchers will monitor for any side effects one week after the PFD3 injection and measure how well the probe detects DLL3 expression in tumors at baseline. They will also evaluate imaging accuracy, track progression-free survival for up to 12 months, and monitor overall survival through study completion. Blood tests and other clinical assessments will be used to support these evaluations. The total involvement includes initial scans and follow-up for disease and safety monitoring.

Researchers are studying patients diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have declined prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). The study compares the use of a 7-tesla (7t) brain MRI scan to standard care 1.5t or 3t MRI scans to determine if the 7t MRI can detect brain metastases earlier than current methods. Patients must have had a recent standard MRI that showed no brain metastases to participate. Participants will first undergo a 7t MRI brain scan, followed by up to 12 months of standard care MRI scans (either 1.5t or 3t). The study will monitor patients regularly through these scans to observe if and when brain metastases develop. Once brain metastases are confirmed by standard scans, the results will be compared to the earlier 7t MRI images to evaluate the potential for earlier detection. Throughout the study, participants will be followed for up to one year or until brain metastases are detected. The primary outcome is the detection of brain metastases using the 7t MRI at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the initial 7t scan. Patients will continue their regular clinical care and surveillance with brain MRI scans. The study involves no treatment changes but focuses on imaging assessment and monitoring.

Researchers are studying a new cancer treatment called [212Pb]VMT-Alpha-NET for tumors that have somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) on their surface. These tumors include those found in the lungs, head and neck, digestive tract, kidneys, and adrenal glands. The study focuses on people with tumors that have spread and cannot be removed by surgery. The goal is to find the highest safe dose of this drug and evaluate its safety and effects on these cancers. The treatment involves giving [212Pb]VMT-Alpha-NET through a vein on the first day of each 8-week cycle, for a total of four cycles. Some participants will also receive a related imaging drug, [203Pb]VMT-Alpha-NET, a few days before the first two cycles to track where the drug travels in the body using scans. After each dose, participants will stay in the hospital for a few nights and have weekly blood tests during each cycle. Participants will have physical exams, blood and urine tests, heart function tests, and imaging scans before and during the study. Researchers will monitor safety, drug effects, and tumor response through scans, lab tests, and questionnaires. Follow-up visits will continue for up to six years after the last treatment to check on long-term outcomes and overall health.