Imaging PD-L1 in Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immunotherapy

PD-L1 PET Imaging in Patients With the Immunotherapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Observational Tongji Hospital · NCT05533086

This study is testing a new imaging method to see how a protein called PD-L1 behaves in patients with advanced lung cancer who are about to start immunotherapy, hoping to improve treatment choices and results.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorTongji Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Wuhan, Hubei)
Trial IDNCT05533086 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to utilize PD-L1 PET imaging to assess PD-L1 expression in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are planned for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. The study seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional immunohistochemistry by providing a non-invasive, multidimensional visualization of PD-L1 expression across primary and metastatic tumors. By monitoring PD-L1 expression dynamically during treatment, the study hopes to improve patient selection for immunotherapy and enhance treatment outcomes. The approach could lead to better understanding of PD-L1 heterogeneity and its impact on therapy response.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with histologically confirmed stage IV NSCLC who are planned for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have severe psychiatric or organ insufficiencies, or those who refuse anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective patient selection for immunotherapy, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing unnecessary side effects.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of PD-L1 PET imaging is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in improving patient selection and monitoring in cancer therapies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) Subjects must be diagnosed with histologically confirmed stage IV non-small cell lung cancer and \>18 years of age with driver mutations (-).

  (2) Planned for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. (3) At least one easy accessible lesion of which a biopsy can be taken within one month prior to PET scan.

  (4) Subjects must sign informed consent prior to inclusion in this trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

- (1) Female patients during pregnancy and lactation. (2) Patients with psychiatric disease, severe hepatic and renal insufficiency. (3) Patients who refuse anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. (4) Patients who are claustrophobic or unable to undergo PET/CT examination. (5) Prior treatment with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2 antibody, or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell costimulation or immune checkpoint pathways, except anti-CTLA4 antibody.

(6) Those who, in the opinion of the investigator, are otherwise unsuitable for clinical trials.

Where this trial is running

Wuhan, Hubei

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 NSCLC Stage IVPD-L1 Gene Amplification
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.