Evaluating heart damage from radiation in lung and esophageal cancer patients

PET Functional Imaging to Evaluate Cardiac Radiation Damage (EUCLID)

NA · Thomas Jefferson University · NCT05775939

This study is testing how radiation treatment for lung and esophageal cancer affects the heart and aims to find ways to reduce heart damage during therapy.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThomas Jefferson University (other)
Drugs / interventionsRadiation
Locations1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT05775939 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial uses PET/CT imaging to assess cardiac radiation damage in patients undergoing treatment for lung or esophageal cancer. Participants will receive fludeoxyglucose F-18 PET-CT scans of the heart before, during, and after radiation therapy to monitor any functional changes. The study aims to identify how these imaging changes correlate with overall survival, cardiac toxicity, and cardiac-related death. Additionally, it explores strategies to minimize cardiotoxicity during radiation treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with pathologically proven lung or esophageal cancer who are scheduled to receive radiation therapy.

Not a fit: Patients who are receiving palliative radiation doses or have contraindications for FDG PET-CT scans may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved monitoring and management of cardiac health in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using imaging techniques to assess cardiac function in cancer patients, suggesting this approach may be beneficial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Provide signed and dated informed consent form
* Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
* Male or female, aged \>= 18
* Life expectancy \>= 3 months as assessed by Radiation Oncologist
* Mean heart dose estimated by Radiation Oncologist to be \>= 5 Gy (physics dose or biologically equivalent dose)
* Pathologically proven (either histologic or cytologic) proven lung cancer or esophageal cancer
* Planned radiation treatment course for management of lung or esophageal cancer \* Both standard and hypofractionation schedules are permitted

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindication for FDG PET-CT scans as assessed by the radiation oncologist or nuclear medicine radiologist
* Palliative radiation doses defined as 20 Gy in 5 fractions

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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: Lung Carcinoma, Esophageal Carcinoma

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.