A Prospective Cohort Study of Chinese Patients With Pulmonary Nodules: Prediction of Lung Cancer Using Noninvasive Biomarkers

A Prospective Cohort Study of Chinese Patients With Pulmonary Nodules: Prediction of Lung Cancer Using Noninvasive Biomarkers

The broad goals of this study is to identify changes in genomic landscape during transition from stage 0 to stage 1 lung cancer.

This study intends to determine whether diagnostic biomarkers measured in minimally invasive biospecimens are able to correlate molecular, clinical and imaging features to distinguish malignant from benign pulmonary nodules. The diagnostic markers once validated can be used as broad screening tools for lung cancer.

The four-year study aims to recruit 3000 patients (1500 GGO and 1500 solid / semi solid nodules) in the study based on qualifying for a lung cancer screening CT or by routine CT chest with the observation of a lung nodule between 5-30mm diameter. These patients will be followed for 2~3 years and be managed according to institutional standard of care. This may involve the Chinese Thoracic Society guideline or Fleischner criteria (either 2013 or 2017 guidelines). The clinical data, CT imaging and biospecimens will be collected during each visit. Once a patient undergoes surgery, tissue samples (FFPE) from surgery will also be collected.

The gold standard for lung cancer diagnosis will be the results of bronchoscopic biopsy of lung or lymph nodes, percutaneous biopsy of lung or other organ sites, surgical biopsy or resection, or a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 Years and older, both male and female
• Willing and able to provide a written informed consent
• Radiologic diagnosis of solid indeterminate pulmonary nodule (5-30 mm) OR semi-solid (mixed density) nodule with solid component of at least 5mm OR non-solid nodule (including pGGO); must be of appropriate size at enrollment, but nodule(s) may have been first identified within 12 months prior. Furthermore, nodule(s) < 5 mm in size may have been first identified greater than 12 months prior to enrollment though it must grow into the appropriate size range (5-30 mm) within 12 months prior to enrollment. If multiple nodules were diagnosed, choose the most representative one with the longest diameter as the target lesion; if two or more nodules are of the same largest size, choose the one with the perpendicular longest diameter
• CT scan completed within 3 months prior to enrollment
• Agree to tolerate all biospecimen collection as required by protocol
• Agree to comply with standard of care follow up visits including clinical exams, diagnostic work-ups, and imaging for 2~3 years from enrollment
• Agree to fill out Patient Lung History Questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

• History or previous diagnosis of primary lung cancer, metastatic lung cancer, or any other non-lung cancer within 5 years (exceptions are adequately treated squamous and basal cell carcinomas of the skin, carcinoma in situ of the cervix or breast)
• Any receipt of cytotoxic agents within the past 6 months
• Any symptoms of lung cancer (unexplained weight loss, recent hemoptysis)
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Underwent invasive biopsy procedures (e.g. bronchoscopies or CT-guided transthoracic biopsies) before enrollment
• Receipt of transfusion within 30 days prior to enrollment
• Fail to understand or provide a written informed consent