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Comparing lung surgery and radiation therapy for early lung cancer

JoLT-Ca A Randomized Phase III Study of Sublobar Resection (SR) Versus Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SAbR) in High Risk Patients With Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), The STABLE-MATES Trial

PHASE3 · University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · NCT02468024

This study is testing whether a new type of radiation therapy can help people with early lung cancer live longer compared to a less extensive surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment272 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations50 sites (La Jolla, California and 49 other locations)
Trial IDNCT02468024 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to determine whether Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SAbR) improves survival rates compared to Sublobar Resection (SR) in patients with high-risk operable Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Patients will be screened and pre-randomized to receive either SR or SAbR, with informed consent obtained prior to participation. The study will follow participants for a minimum of two years after treatment to assess outcomes and survival rates. The trial builds on previous findings that suggest SAbR may offer better survival outcomes than traditional surgical approaches.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 with biopsy-confirmed Stage I NSCLC and specific tumor characteristics.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced lung cancer or those who are not operable may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a less invasive treatment option with improved survival rates for patients with early-stage lung cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for SAbR in controlling early lung cancer, indicating potential success for this trial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
1.0 Inclusion Criteria

1.1 Age \> 18 years.

1.2 ECOG/Zubrod performance status (PS) 0, 1, or 2 (reference Appendix C).

1.3 Radiographic findings consistent with non-small cell lung cancer, including lesions with ground glass opacities with a solid component of 50% or greater.

1.4 The primary tumor in the lung must be biopsy confirmed non-small cell lung cancer within 180 days prior to randomization.

1.5 Tumor ≤ 4 cm maximum diameter, including clinical stage IA and selected IB by PET or PET integrated with a simultaneous CT scan (PET-CT) of the chest and upper abdomen performed within 180 days prior to randomization (reference Appendix A \& B). Repeat imaging within 90 days prior to randomization is recommended for re-staging but is not required based on institutional norms.

1.6 All clinically suspicious mediastinal N1, N2, or N3 lymph nodes (\> 1 cm short-axis dimension on CT scan and/or positive on PET scan) confirmed negative for involvement with NSCLC by one of the following methods: mediastinoscopy, anterior mediastinotomy, EUS/EBUS guided needle aspiration, CT-guided, video-assisted thoracoscopic or open lymph node biopsy within 180 days of randomization.

1.7 Tumor verified by a thoracic surgeon to be in a location that will permit sublobar resection.

1.8 Tumor located peripherally within the lung. NOTE: Peripheral is defined as not touching any surface within 2 cm of the proximal bronchial tree in all directions. See bronchial tree diagram below. Patients with non-peripheral (central) tumors are NOT eligible.

1.9 No evidence of distant metastases.

1.10 Availability of pulmonary function tests (PFTs - spirometry, DLCO, +/- arterial blood gases) within 180 days prior to registration. Patients with tracheotomy, etc, who are physically unable to perform PFTs (and therefore cannot be tested for the Major criteria in 3.1.11 below) are potentially still eligible if a study credentialed thoracic surgeon documents that the patient's health characteristics would otherwise have been acceptable for eligibility as a high risk but nonetheless operable patient (in particular be eligible for sublobar resection).

1.11 To define eligibility of patients being at high risk for surgery, certain criteria must be met.

Any one (1) of the following major criteria will define the high risk status for eligibility:

Major Criteria

* FEV1 ≤ 50% predicted (pre-bronchodilator value)
* DLCO ≤ 50% predicted (pre-bronchodilator value)
* Study credentialed thoracic surgeon believes the patient is potentially operable but that a lobectomy or pneumonectomy would be poorly tolerated by the patient for tangible or intangible reasons. The belief must be declared and documented in the medical record prior to randomization.

If any of the major criteria are met, the patient is eligible based on high risk for surgery and minor criteria do not need to be considered. However, if no major criteria is met, at least two (2) minor criteria being met will also define eligibility for meeting the high risk status.

Any two (2) of the following minor criteria will define the high risk status for eligibility:

* Minor Criteria
* Age ≥75
* FEV1 51-60% predicted (pre-bronchodilator value)
* DLCO 51-60% predicted (pre-bronchodilator value)
* Pulmonary hypertension (defined as a pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than 40mm Hg) as estimated by echocardiography or right heart catheterization
* Poor left ventricular function (defined as an ejection fraction of 40% or less)
* Resting or Exercise Arterial pO2 ≤ 55 mm Hg or SpO2 ≤ 88%
* pCO2 \> 45 mm Hg
* Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) Dyspnea Scale ≥ 3.

1.12 No prior intra-thoracic radiation therapy for previously identified intra-thoracic primary tumor (e.g. previous lung cancer) on the ipsilateral side. NOTE: Previous radiotherapy as part of treatment for head and neck, breast, or other non-thoracic cancer is permitted to the ipsilateral side so long as possible radiation fields would not overlap. NOTE: Radiotherapy to the contralateral lung is allowed so long as it was completed more than 3 years prior to randomization and there is no overlap of radiation fields.

1.13 Previous chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical resection specifically for the lung cancer being treated on this protocol is NOT permitted.

1.14 No prior lung resection on the ipsilateral side.

1.15 Non-pregnant and non-lactating. Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test prior to registration. Peri-menopausal women must be amenorrheic \> 12 months prior to registration to be considered not of childbearing potential.

1.16 No prior invasive malignancy, unless disease-free for ≥ 3 years prior to registration (exceptions: non-melanoma skin cancer, in-situ cancers).

1.17 Ability to understand and sign a written informed consent.

2.0 Exclusion Criteria

2.1 Age \<18

2.2 ECOG/Zubrod performance status (PS) greater than 3.

2.3 Radiographic findings with ground glass opacities and less than 50% solid component will be excluded.

2.4 The primary tumor in the lung, biopsy confirmed non-small cell lung cancer greater than 180 days prior to randomization.

2.5 Tumor \> 5 cm maximum diameter, including clinical stage IA and selected IB by PET or PET integrated with a simultaneous CT scan (PET-CT) of the chest and upper abdomen and/or performed greater than 180 days prior to randomization.

2.6 Lymph node biopsy greater than 180 days prior to randomization.

2.7 Thoracic surgeon confirms unable to remove tumor with sublobar resection.

2.8 Tumor located non-peripheral (central) region of lung (see bronchial tree diagram in 3.1.8).

2.9 Evidence of distant metastases.

2.10 Pulmonary function test (PFT - spirometry, DLCO, +/- arterial blood gases) greater than 180 days prior to registration. Patients physically unable to perform PFT's, such as patients with tracheotomy, that do not have written documentation from study credentialed thoracic surgeon stating eligibility.

2.11 Patients that do not meet either Major criteria or Minor criteria.

2.12 Prior intra-thoracic radiation therapy on ipsilateral side. Radiotherapy to the contralateral lung completed less than 3 years prior to randomization, with radiation field overlap.

2.13 Prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical resection specifically for the lung cancer being treated on this protocol.

2.14 Prior lung resection on the ipsilateral side.

2.15 Pregnant and lactating women.

2.16 Prior invasive malignancy and less than 3 years disease free prior to registration (unless non-melanoma skin cancer, in-situ cancers).

2.17 Unable to understand and/ or sign a written informed consent.

Where this trial is running

La Jolla, California and 49 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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

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.