Surgical order of blood vessel division and circulating tumor DNA after lung cancer surgery
Official title: The Impact of Surgical Technique on Circulating Tumor DNA in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Run by Thomas Jefferson University · NCT05502523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This compares doing the pulmonary vein first versus the pulmonary artery first during lung cancer surgery to see if it lowers circulating tumor DNA in adults with stage I–III non-small cell lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Thomas Jefferson University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 4 sites (Abington, Pennsylvania and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 31, 2022 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | January 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | January 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05502523 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older with confirmed or suspected resectable stage I–III non-small cell lung cancer who are scheduled for lobectomy or segmentectomy are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who received preoperative chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation, those with another recent cancer diagnosis within five years, or those unable to attend follow-up at the study sites are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults with resectable stage I–III non-small cell lung cancer are randomized to a pulmonary vein-first or pulmonary artery-first approach during anatomic lung resection. Blood is collected for circulating tumor DNA before surgery and at multiple postoperative time points including day 1, day 7, days 7–28, 4 months, and then every 6 months for up to 5 years. The primary outcome is postoperative ctDNA levels at specified time points, and secondary outcomes include disease-free survival and the relationship between ctDNA detection and recurrence. Patients with recent other cancers, preoperative systemic therapy, or perioperative transfusion are excluded and biospecimens are collected according to protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vein-first approach could reduce tumor cell shedding during surgery and lower the risk of recurrence or enable earlier detection of relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Retrospective analyses and small prospective reports have suggested a vein-first technique may reduce intraoperative tumor cell release, but randomized prospective evidence remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Any patients 18 years of age or older with confirmed or suspected early-stage (stage I-III) NSCLC * Eligible and scheduled for surgical anatomic lung resection (e.g. lobectomy or segmentectomy) as routine clinical care for their disease Exclusion Criteria: * Previous cancer diagnosis within 5 years (except ductal carcinoma in situ \[DCIS\] of the breast, superficial bladder cancer, non-melanoma skin primary, other malignancy that does not require treatment). * Preoperative chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy * Receipt of perioperative blood transfusion
Where it's running
-
Abington Memorial Hospital
Abington, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Jefferson Health Northeast
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Asplundh Cancer Pavilion at Jefferson Health
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tyler Grenda, MD — Tju
- Study coordinator: Tyler Grenda, MD
- Email: Tyler.grenda@jefferson.edu
- Phone: 215-955-5562
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.