Validation of Liquid Biopsy Assay of EBUS-TBNA Supernatant Fluid for Diagnosing Lung Cancer: A Feasibility Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying whether analyzing the fluid leftover from a lung cancer staging procedure called Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can help detect cancer spread to lymph nodes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is important because up to 15% of EBUS-TBNA procedures do not provide enough information to confirm lymph node involvement, often requiring more invasive surgery for accurate diagnosis. The study aims to see if genetic testing of the fluid's liquid biopsy can give additional information when the standard test is negative. The study will include adults suspected of having NSCLC with possible lymph node involvement who are scheduled for EBUS-TBNA. During the procedure, samples are collected and separated into cell pellets for standard testing and fluid supernatant for liquid biopsy next generation sequencing (NGS). Participants with negative EBUS-TBNA results who then proceed to surgical lymph node removal will have their surgery samples compared with the liquid biopsy results to assess the accuracy of this new method. Participants will undergo the EBUS-TBNA procedure with fluid collection and later surgical lymph node removal as part of their care. Researchers will analyze genetic mutations found in the fluid and compare them to surgical pathology and blood tests. They will measure how well the liquid biopsy matches surgical findings over one year, helping to evaluate if this method could reduce the need for additional invasive procedures in the future.

Liquid Biopsy Assay of EBUS-TBNA Supernatant Fluid for Diagnosing Lung Cancer