Pleural fluid biomarker testing to help diagnose lung adenocarcinoma

Novel Pleural Effusion Biomarkers Screening and Evaluation in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

Observational Fu Jen Catholic University · NCT07012759

This project will test whether measuring new molecular markers in pleural fluid can help diagnose lung adenocarcinoma in adults who need thoracentesis.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorFu Jen Catholic University Academic / other
Locations1 site (New Taipei City)
Trial IDNCT07012759 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a two-year, single-center prospective case-control study conducted at Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital. The investigators will collect about 100 pleural effusion samples from patients with malignant and non-malignant causes who undergo clinically indicated thoracentesis. After centrifugation, both the supernatant and the sedimented cells will be analyzed for expression of candidate genes and concentrations of secreted proteins previously identified in lung cancer cell models. Expression levels will be compared between malignant and non-malignant samples to determine whether the markers can distinguish lung adenocarcinoma-related effusions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults who require thoracentesis for pleural effusion and who consent to provide samples, particularly those with suspected or confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, people with pleural effusions caused by cancers other than lung adenocarcinoma, and individuals not undergoing thoracentesis are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this observational biomarker study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these biomarkers could enable more accurate, less invasive diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma from pleural fluid and reduce the need for additional invasive procedures.

How similar studies have performed: Prior biomarker studies on pleural fluid have shown promise for improving diagnosis but many candidate markers remain unvalidated in clinical samples, so this effort builds on preliminary findings rather than established clinical practice.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients requiring thoracentesis for pleural effusion drainage as determined by a physician based on clinical need.
* Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients under the age of 18.
* Patients with malignancies other than lung adenocarcinoma.

Where this trial is running

New Taipei City

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 BiomarkersLung AdenocarcinomaPleural EffusionPleural effusionbiomarkerslung cancerclinical diagnosis
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.