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A lung cancer clinical trial - BR38

Testing the addition of targeted radiotherapy during immunotherapy versus the usual treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
Disease Site
Lung Clinical Trials
Trial Code
BR.38 ǀ NCT06686771
Trial Status
Open to patient enrollment

What is the purpose of this study?

The usual treatment approach for lung cancer that has spread after treatment is to switch to a different chemotherapy. The purpose of this study is to compare the usual treatment approach to a technique in radiotherapy called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) while continuing the current treatment of immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Why is this study important?

Based on a smaller clinical trial called CURB, there is evidence that the addition of SBRT is effective in shrinking or stabilizing metastatic tumours that have begun to grow. It is not clear if it can offer better results than standard treatment.

Who can participate in this study?

This trial is for patients:

  • with confirmed non-small cell lung cancer
  • whose lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body
  • whose lung cancer is oligoprogressive (5 or fewer cancer spots are growing)
  • who have already received at least 3 treatments of immunotherapy (with or without chemotherapy)

This trial is not for patients:

  • with lung cancer that is NOT non-small cell lung cancer
  • with medical conditions where radiotherapy would not be safe
  • who are not currently taking immunotherapy (with or without chemotherapy)
  • who are receiving cancer therapy other than immunotherapy (with or without chemotherapy)
  • who are pregnant
What are the risks?
  • If you choose to take part in this study, there is a risk that the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy (with or without chemotherapy) may not be as good as the standard treatment. There is also a risk that you could have side effects from radiotherapy. Some of the most common side effects that the study doctors know about are: pain flare, temporary worsening of pain, cough, nausea, skin changes, and inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the esophagus (muscular tube that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach), which may cause pain and difficulty swallowing. You will find details of all side effects in the consent document.
What can I expect?
  • If you choose to take part in this study, you will be randomly placed in one of two groups. In Group 1 you will switch treatment to the next type of usual treatment (second-line treatment) for lung cancer with metastatic tumours that have begun to grow. In Group 2, you will receive targeted SBRT to treat the metastatic tumours that have begun to grow, plus you will continue the treatment you are currently receiving with immunotherapy (with or without chemotherapy). Both groups will also be asked to complete a few questionnaires at different times in order to understand your Quality of Life.

How can I find out more or join the study?

Talk to your cancer doctor if you are considering joining this study. You can share summaries like this with them and ask if they think joining the trial may be a good option for you. Before you join this study, you will be asked to review an Informed Consent document which will tell you more about why the research is being done and your role as a participant. You will have an opportunity to discuss anything that is not clear and ask any questions you have. Joining this study is entirely up to you and you can decide to leave at any time without giving a reason. Your decision to join or leave the trial will not affect your standard medical care. The CCTG-BR38 study is currently enrolling patients at cancer centres in Canada and the USA. For a full list of participating cancer centres please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and search using NCT06686771.

Use this trial information for your conversation with your health care team

Participating centres

Information coming soon.