Study of Epigenetic Signatures in Blood to Detect and Manage Lung Cancer and Other Lung Diseases

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating a new method to detect lung cancer using epigenetic patterns found in cell-free DNA from blood samples. This observational study seeks to identify unique epigenetic markers that can help distinguish lung cancer from other lung diseases and healthy states. The goal is to develop a simple blood test that could improve early diagnosis, monitor treatment response, and detect minimal residual disease after surgery or treatment. Participants include lung cancer patients before and after treatment or surgery, patients with chronic lung diseases or acute pneumonia, and healthy volunteers as control groups. Blood samples will be collected at specific time points depending on the participant group, such as before treatment, several weeks after treatment or surgery, and up to 12 months post-treatment or surgery. Control participants will provide a single blood sample during the study. During the study, participants will undergo blood draws and provide informed consent before enrollment. Researchers will analyze the blood samples to identify epigenetic biomarkers linked to lung cancer and assess their ability to assist in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The primary outcome is to define a set of epigenetic markers that uniquely identify lung cancer within 12 months from the first blood draw. The study will enroll about 300 participants over roughly 18 months.

Novel Epigenetic Mapping in Cell-Free DNA for the Detection of Lung Cancer