The study aims at piloting the concept of customization of chemotherapy based on molecular markers in patients with stage IIIB (with pleural effusion) and IV with performance status ≤ 2 with pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study will not test or compare individual regimen but rather it will test the approach of customization concept as a whole. The results of this pilot study will help in designing more definitive trials in our patient population.
The treatment of advanced NSCLC cancer includes various chemotherapies with equivalent regimens that have reached a therapeutic plateau. The selection of these regimens is completely empirical and physician dependent. Potential predictors of specific agent efficacy exist in the form of tumor molecular markers that are a reflection of the individual's genetic make up. Thus our study aims at utilizing these markers to more efficiently select the regimen in order to maximize the benefit to the patients rather than using empiric approaches. Fortunately, each of our selected regimens contains active and well-studied agents in the treatment of lung cancer (Table 1). This pilot study will help us determine the benefit, and safety of this approach (not individual regimen). The study is not to compare individual regimens but it aims at testing the whole concept of customization of chemotherapy based on molecular markers to help us in the future at selecting regimens based on these markers and not empirically. The results then will be used to determine more definitive future studies. Furthermore, circulating tumor cells in the blood represent the future distant metastases that result in disease progression to incurable stages. The circulating tumor cells have the ability to cross into vessels, travel in circulation, and exit the vessels into tissues where they have the capability to grow. Therefore, these cells may express different biological and molecular features from the stationary cells in the primary tumors. Therefore, exploiting these circulating tumor cells for augmenting treatment approaches is of vital importance and utility.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
3
Patients will be assigned to treatment according to the molecular biological results which will analyze excision repair cross-complementing (ERCC1), ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 (RRM1) and beta-tubulin genes in primary tumor cells which are present in tissues and peripheral blood.
King Abdul Aziz Medical City for National Guard Health Affairs
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Efficacy and Safety
1. Efficacy is measured by: * overall response rate (partial response and complete response) using RECIST Criteria * time to disease progression (TTP) * progression free survival (PFS) * overall survival (OS) 2. To evaluate the Number of participants with Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events.Safety will include 5 parameters to be collected for all patients who receive the study regimen which are: * Adverse Events * Laboratory Assessments * Vital Signs * Physical Examinations * ECG
Time frame: 3 years
Tumor marker
1. The molecular characteristics of circulating tumor cells harvested from peripheral blood 2. Correlation between the markers of circulating tumor cells and primary tumor.
Time frame: 3 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.