Follow up after curative-intent lung cancer treatment

ISRCTN ISRCTN16281786
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16281786
Secondary identifying numbers Protocol No 2011/045
Submission date
07/02/2017
Registration date
23/02/2017
Last edited
15/03/2023
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Lung cancer is a common disease. Unfortunately, the majority of lung cancers are diagnosed too late to receive treatment. When an earlier diagnosis is made it is easier to treat the cancer, usually by removing the tumour from the lung. However, recurrence of lung cancer is quite frequent, particularly during the first two years after treatment. This is why most experts recommend regularly scheduled imaging procedures (scans that take pictures of organs inside the body) after treatment of lung cancer as a form of surveillance. Usually, computed tomography (CT) of the chest is recommended. A CT scan uses X-rays (radio waves) controlled by computers in create three dimensional images. With increases in technology, there are new types of CT scans such as PET-CT scan. A PET-CT scan combines nuclear imaging (using a radioactive drug to create a picture) with a CT scan. It has been shown that PET-CT can detect some lung cancer better than a CT does. So far, in surveillance after lung cancer treatment, the performances of these two methods have never been compared. The aim of this study is to compare the CT scan and the PET-CT scan to see how well they are able to detect lung cancer.

Who can participate?
Adults who have a completed a treatment for lung cancer.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive a CT scan every six months for two years. This involves being injected with a special dye and then laying flat in a bed underneath the scanner for a couple of minutes. Those in the second group receive a PET-CT scan every six months for two years. This involves being injected with a special radiotracer (dye) and then laying flat in a bed in the centre of the large, circular scanner for about an hour. After the scans, the images are discussed by a board of experts. The treating physician explains the results of the images to the patient. Participants receive regular follow up after the study if they do not show any scans of anything suspicious. Participants who show scans of suspicious or unexplained findings are given further diagnostic steps and treatment.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from receiving multiple scans in order to screen for recurring lung cancer. There are potential risks involved with imaging procedures such as allergies to the contrast medium (dye) and exposure to radiation.

Where is the study run from?
Cantonal Hospital Aarau (Switzerland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2011 to August 2014

Who is funding the study?
Research Council of the Cantonal Hospital Aarau (Switzerland)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Sarosh Irani

Contact information

Dr Sarosh Irani
Public

Clinical of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Cantonal Hospital Aarau
Tellstrasse 25
Aarau
5001
Switzerland

Study information

Study designProspective single centre randomized study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeScreening
Participant information sheet ISRCTN16281786_PIS_15Feb17_V2_German.pdf
Scientific titleSurveillance of lung cancer patients with integrated PET-CT or contrast-enhanced CT after curative-intent treatment: a prospective, randomized study
Study objectivesThe aim of this current prospective randomized study is to compare contrast-enhanced chest CT scan and integrated PET-CT scan in cancer surveillance after curative-intent treatment of NSCLC patients.
Ethics approval(s)Ethical Committee of the Cantonal Aarau Switzerland, 27/09/2011, ref: 2011/045
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedNon-small cell lung cancer
InterventionParticipants who have completed a curative-intent treatment are randomly allocated to one of two groups.

Group 1 (Contrast-CT): Participants receive a CT scan every six months for two years. This involves being given a a contrast medium through the use of an intravenous catheter (usually placed into a vein of one arm) and images are taken within thirty seconds. Computed tomography multidetector (MDCT) examinations of the chest are performed using either a 64 or a 320 detector-row CT scanner (Aquilion 64 CT / Aquilion ONE CT; Toshiba Medical Systems, Otawara, Japan). All chest MDCT examinations are obtained with the routine low dose chest MDCT protocol including craniocaudal direction, supine position with both arms raised above the head, single breath hold and a scan volume ranged from the level of the diaphragm to a level just above the thoracic inlet. The injected volume of contrast medium (Iopromide 300, Ultravist 300; Bayer Vital Gmbh, Leverkusen, Germany) is tailored to the individual body weight: <50 kg = 60ml @ 2ml/second vs. >= 50kg = 80ml @ 2.5ml / second with a fixed contrast delay of 35 seconds. Radiation dose exposure is systematically reduced by various methods including automatic exposure control (Toshiba Sure Exposure 3D) and iterative reconstruction algorithms (Toshiba Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction ADIR 3D).

Group 2 (Integrated PET-CT): Patients receive an integrated PET-CT scan every six months for two years. This invovles being given radiolabeled glucose (18F-FDG, a dose regimen of 5 MBq/kg body weight) through an intravenous catheter (usually placed into a vein of one arm). The PET scans start 60 minutes after tracer injection, scanning from the vertex of the scull to the middle of the thigh. A Siemens Biograph MCT 40 PET scanner is used with high resolution reconstruction software (HD PET), also incorporating the time-of-flight information in the reconstruction algorithm (TOF PET). Low dose CT scans are performed for attenuation correction of the PET images. The PET scanner is fully cross-calibrated, allowing accurate SUV measurements. Scans are performed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and based on the regulations of the Swiss health authorities.

A few days after the scan the participants from both groups attend an outpatient department clinical visit to discuss the results of the investigation with the treating physicians. The recommendations of the interdisciplinary board for further diagnostic or therapeutic steps are communicated to the patient during this visit. If the images are not suspicious the next scan is scheduled after six months. If there are suspicious or unexplained findings further diagnostic steps (usually biopsy) are undertaken.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureCancer recurrence or second primary cancer is assessed by further work up of a pathological finding in contrast-CT or PET-CT (the particular method of diagnostic work up is board-defined and does usually consist of either endoscopic or surgical biopsy) respectively and is performed at 6, 12,18 and 24 months.
Secondary outcome measures1. Other pathological finding are measured through surveillance CT or PET-CT scans at 6,12,18, and 24 months
2. Symptomatic recurrences/patient pursuing medical help due to somatic symptoms is measured by methods that are chosen by the treating physician at any time when symptoms occur. Usually, these methods consist of computed tomography or magnet resonance imaging. The decision about the methods chosen in these situations is not part of the current study.
Overall study start date11/10/2011
Completion date29/08/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants40 patients in each group would be necessary.
Total final enrolment96
Key inclusion criteria1. 18 years of age or older
2. Have a FDG-PET positive tumor
3. Completed a curative–intent treatment for NSCLC (the PET positivity and the curative character of the cancer therapy are board defined)
Key exclusion criteria1. Lack of written informed consent
2. Insufficient knowledge of the German language
3. Impaired kidney function (glomerular filtration rate lower than 30 ml/min).
Date of first enrolment15/01/2011
Date of final enrolment29/08/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Switzerland

Study participating centre

Cantonal Hospital Aarau
Tellstrasse
Aarau
5001
Switzerland

Sponsor information

Clinic of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Hospital/treatment centre

Cantonal Hospital Aarau
Tellstrasse 25
Aarau
5001
Switzerland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/056tb3809

Funders

Funder type

Research council

Research Council of the Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high impact peer reviewed medical journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study is not expected to be made available due to confidentially reasons.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet version V2 15/02/2017 14/03/2017 No Yes
Results article results 01/02/2019 31/07/2019 Yes No
Results article 04/12/2019 15/03/2023 Yes No

Additional files

ISRCTN16281786_PIS_15Feb17_V2_German.pdf
Uploaded 14/03/2017

Editorial Notes

15/03/2023: Publication reference added.
31/07/2019: The following changes were made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number was added from the reference.