Measuring cancer treatment response using a specific PET scan

Improving Response Assessment in Cancer by Measurement of Cellular Redox Status Using 18F-FSPG Positron Emission Tomography

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust · NCT05889312

This study is testing if a special PET scan can help doctors see how well treatment is working for patients with advanced lung and head and neck cancers.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment32 (estimated)
Ages16 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (other)
Locations1 site (London)
Trial IDNCT05889312 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess changes in tumor cellular redox status in patients with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and stage 3 and 4 head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) using 18F-FSPG PET imaging. It will compare the results with standard imaging techniques like 18F-FDG PET/CT and RECIST 1.1 response metrics over a 12-week treatment period. The study will involve 32 patients, with the primary goal of determining if changes in 18F-FSPG uptake can predict treatment efficacy. Secondary objectives include characterizing the uptake and pharmacokinetics of 18F-FSPG and correlating it with clinical biomarkers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are treatment-naïve patients aged 16 or older with histologically confirmed NSCLC or HNSCC scheduled to start standard of care treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have uncontrolled medical conditions, or have received previous anti-cancer treatment will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more accurate method for predicting treatment response in cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of PET imaging in cancer treatment assessment is established, the specific application of 18F-FSPG PET in this context is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent
2. Aged 16 or above
3. Histologically confirmed HNSCC or NSCLC, who are treatment naïve and scheduled to commence standard of care treatment ((chemo)radiotherapy)
4. Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled study visits and tests
5. Confirmation of adequate function of all major organs and systems

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant or lactating women
2. Concomitant uncontrolled medical conditions
3. Participants likely to require palliative radiotherapy within the first 12 weeks of treatment
4. Prognosis less than 3 months
5. Previous anti-cancer treatment (only treatment naïve patients eligible for inclusion)

Where this trial is running

London

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: Cancer, Diagnosis, Resistant Cancer, Response, Acute Phase

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.