Safer follow-up for small lung nodules found on CT scans

Optimizing Lung Cancer Screening Nodule Evaluation

['FUNDING_R01'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11140352

This project compares smarter follow-up plans for people who have small spots (nodules) found on lung cancer screening CT scans.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11140352 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If a low-dose CT scan finds a nodule in your lung, this project looks for better rules to decide what happens next. Researchers combine nodule features seen on CT with patient details like age, sex, smoking history, and other health problems to estimate cancer risk. They will compare current guideline-based follow-up to new algorithms and use modeling plus real-world data to estimate outcomes such as cancers found early, extra imaging, biopsies, harms, and costs. The aim is to keep life-saving detection while cutting down unnecessary scans and invasive procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults eligible for low-dose CT lung cancer screening—typically older current or former smokers—who have a nodule detected on screening CT.

Not a fit: People not eligible for screening, people without lung nodules, or those already diagnosed with lung cancer are unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could help catch treatable lung cancers earlier while reducing unnecessary scans, biopsies, and related harms.

How similar studies have performed: Existing tools like Lung-RADS and PanCan risk models have improved nodule management, but integrating broader patient factors into optimized, lower-harm follow-up algorithms is still being refined.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Cause, Cancer Control, Cancer Control Science, Cancer Etiology, Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.