Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 and up

Tracking lung cancer evolution through therapy

Official title: TRAcking Thoracic Cancer Evolution Through Therapy (Rx) EVO

Run by University College, London · NCT05628376 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is trying to see how lung cancer changes during treatment in people with different types of the disease by collecting health information and samples over two years.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment600 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity College, London
Academic / other
Locations1 site (London)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 20, 2023
Main results expectedOctober 20, 2030
Study endsJune 2034
Registry record updatedJuly 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT05628376 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with early-stage NSCLC who are eligible for primary surgery.

Probably not a fit

Patients with advanced-stage lung cancer who are not eligible for surgery may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

TRACERx EVO is an observational cohort study focusing on participants with early- and late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and pleural mesothelioma. The study collects extensive data on demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as biological samples including blood, tissue, urine, saliva, and stool. Participants will receive standard anti-cancer therapies and will be followed up regularly for two years, with data retrieved from their medical records to analyze cancer evolution and treatment response. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance understanding of lung cancer progression and treatment outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer patients.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies focusing on cancer evolution and treatment response have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Cohort A, B and C :

  * Written Informed consent
  * Agreement to be followed up (including on-study assessments and sample collection) every 3 months in the first 2 years and then 6 monthly.
  * Agreement to be followed up at a TRACERx EVO site

Cohort A:

* Participants ≥18 years of age, with early stage I-IIIB NSCLC disease who are eligible for primary surgery
* Histopathologically confirmed NSCLC, or a strong suspicion of cancer on lung imaging necessitating surgery (e.g., diagnosis determined from frozen section in theatre)
* Primary surgery in keeping with NICE guidelines (lobectomy, either open or thoracoscopic), lung parenchymal-sparing operations (segmentectomy or wedge resection) if a complete resection can be achieved, extensive surgery (bronchoangioplastic surgery, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy) if necessary to obtain clear margins, hilar and mediastinal lymph node sampling or en bloc resection)
* For participants proceeding with upfront primary surgery (i.e. no neoadjuvant therapy), a minimum tumour diameter of at least 15mm on imaging to allow for tissue sampling of at least two tumour regions; this can either be two fresh tissue samples or one fresh tissue sample plus one representative diagnostic FFPE block (to be requested at a later date according to trial specific procedures)
* Participants undergoing neoadjuvant treatment must have at least 1 region of fresh frozen or FFPE surgical or diagnostic biopsy tissue.
* Considered sufficiently fit for upfront standard of care primary surgery or neoadjuvant therapy if indicated
* Performance status 0 to 2

Cohort B:

* Participants ≥18 years of age, with late-stage unresectable stage IIIB and above NSCLC disease (TNM 8th edition) or presenting with stage IV de novo metastatic disease.
* Sufficient tissue (at least 1 region/biopsy), either FFPE or fresh frozen
* Deemed to be fit for anti-cancer treatment
* Performance status 0 to 2 Participants who were initially consented into Cohort A who are found to have more advanced disease pre- or immediately post operatively (e.g. locally advanced/inoperable or stage IV disease) could be included in Cohort B.

Cohort C:

* Participants ≥18 years of age, with any stage SCLC or pleural mesothelioma.
* Sufficient tissue (at least 1 region/biopsy), either FFPE or fresh frozen
* Deemed to be fit for anti-cancer treatment
* Performance status 0 to 2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cohort A, B and C:

  * Any other active or current malignancy and/or systemic treatment (excluding hormone therapy) for that malignancy in the last 12 months (i.e., participant must be cancer free for the last 12 months, and if on therapy it can only be hormone therapy).

    * Exceptions are: non-melanomatous skin cancer, stage 0 melanoma in situ, and in situ cervical cancer, or for Cohort C, cases of NSCLC that have transformed to SCLC, or for Cohort A another synchronous lung cancer.
  * Psychological condition that would preclude informed consent
  * Diagnosis other than NSCLC, SCLC or pleural mesothelioma confirmed following surgery or biopsy
  * Confirmed diagnosis of known high-risk infections (e.g., Human Immunodeficiency Virus) (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) or syphilis infection, tuberculosis and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease) unless participant case is of a particular scientific interest and agreed in advance with research staff, local mortuary staff and pathologist.
  * Contra-indicated severe co-morbid conditions

Cohort A:

* Positive margins, incomplete resection or insufficient nodal sampling
* Insufficient tissue, i.e., for participants having upfront surgery and not having neoadjuvant therapy, a minimum of two tumour regions unlikely to be obtained for the study based on pre-operative imaging, or for participants having neoadjuvant therapy at least one tissue biopsy unable to be obtained prior to neoadjuvant therapy (Fresh Frozen or FFPE).
* Participant found to have pre-invasive lesions rather than invasive cancer following surgery, such as adenocarcinoma in situ or minimally invasive lesions will be withdrawn. However, the surgical tissue and baseline blood already collected will be sent to the central laboratory. These participants will not be followed-up in the study or required to provide any further blood samples. If these participants subsequently develop invasive cancer, the date of diagnosis and the tumour histology will be reported on the electronic data capture system.

Cohort B/C:

• Insufficient tissue, i.e., at least one tissue biopsy unable to be obtained (Fresh Frozen or FFPE)

Where it's running

  • University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.