Adding radiotherapy to standard treatment for advanced lung cancer

Multicentre Phase III Study: Addition of Radiotherapy to Standard Medical Treatment for Stage IV NSCLC

Not applicable Interventional Swedish Lung Cancer Study Group · NCT04530708

This study is testing if adding radiotherapy to the usual treatment for advanced lung cancer can help patients feel better and live longer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment162 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSwedish Lung Cancer Study Group Research network
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations3 sites (Umeå, Norrland and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04530708 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates whether adding a moderate dose of radiotherapy to the primary tumor and mediastinal nodes after three months of standard medical treatment can reduce tumor burden and improve quality of life for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary objective is to assess quality of life using the lung cancer symptom scale (LCSS) three months after randomization. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either thoracic radiotherapy or follow-up care. Secondary objectives include evaluating overall survival, progression-free survival, toxicity, and longitudinal quality of life measurements.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with histologically confirmed stage IV non-small cell lung cancer who are previously untreated and scheduled for standard chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with symptomatic brain metastases or those requiring daily supplemental oxygen may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the quality of life and potentially prolong survival for patients with advanced lung cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using radiotherapy in conjunction with systemic treatments for lung cancer, suggesting this approach may be beneficial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histological or cytological confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
* Stage IV disease
* Previously untreated disease (before first line treatment)
* No symptomatic brain metastases
* Performance status (WHO) 0-2
* FEV1 (forced expiratory volume one second) ≥ 1 L or \>40% of predicted
* Written informed consent
* Life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks
* Platelet count ≥ 100,00/mm3
* Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dl
* WBC (White blod cells) ≥ 3,000/mm3
* Kidney function allowing chemotherapy
* Patients scheduled for standard platinum based chemotherapy, chemo-immunotherapy or immunotherapy
* Willing and able to comply with study treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

* Requirement for daily supplemental oxygen
* Second primary malignancy within 3 years, except for any of the following which can be included even if diagnosed within the past 3 years: Carcinoma in situ of the cervix, nonmelanoma skin cancer, history of low-grade (Gleason score ≤ 6) localized prostate cancer, definitely treated stage I breast cancer, other malignancy that was diagnosed and definitely treated ≥ 3 years ago with no subsequent evidence of recurrence
* Concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical condition, including any of the following:
* Angina pectoris
* Congestive heart failure within the past 3 months, unless LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) \> 40%
* Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* Clinically significant infection
* Psychiatric illness or social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements
* EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutation or ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinas) - rearrangement detected

Where this trial is running

Umeå, Norrland and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions RadiotherapyNon Small Cell Lung CancerStage IV Non-small Cell Lung CancerQuality of LifeNSCLCQuality of life
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.