Low Dose CT Scans for Lung Cancer Detection in Firefighters

Overseen By Study Administrator

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Active cancer

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether low-dose CT scans (a type of imaging test) can detect lung cancer differently in firefighters compared to non-firefighters. It also investigates how job-related exposures might affect scan results and whether a special blood test can help assess risk levels for lung nodules found during screening. The trial is ideal for current or retired firefighters with no personal history of lung cancer, who have been fighting fires for at least 10 years, and can access scans at specific hospitals. As an unphased trial, this study offers firefighters a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance early lung cancer detection methods tailored to their specific occupational risks.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that low dose CT scans are safe for lung cancer detection in firefighters?

Research has shown that low-dose CT (LDCT) scans are safe and easy to use for lung cancer screening. Studies have found that LDCT uses less radiation than a regular CT scan, making it safer for repeated use. No major side effects have been reported from using low-dose CT for lung cancer screening, even in groups like firefighters who may have higher lung risks.

Although standard guidelines for using LDCT in groups like first responders do not exist, experts believe that firefighters, regardless of age or smoking history, could benefit from LDCT screening. This suggests that LDCT is safe and could be especially helpful for those with job-related exposures. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Low Dose CT scans are unique because they offer a way to detect lung cancer earlier and more safely, especially for high-risk groups like firefighters. Traditional methods often rely on standard CT scans, which expose patients to higher levels of radiation. In contrast, Low Dose CT significantly reduces radiation exposure while maintaining the ability to catch early signs of lung cancer. Researchers are excited about this because it could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, improving survival rates without compromising safety.

What evidence suggests that low dose CT is effective for lung cancer detection in firefighters?

Studies have shown that low-dose CT (LDCT) scans effectively detect lung cancer early. In research involving nuclear weapons workers, LDCT detected 80 cases of lung cancer, with nearly 60% found at stage I, the earliest stage. In this trial, firefighters will undergo LDCT scans to assess its effectiveness in early lung cancer detection within this high-risk group. Among firefighters, almost all who underwent an LDCT showed lung nodules, and a small percentage had high-risk nodules. These findings suggest that LDCT can be a valuable tool for early lung cancer detection, especially for those at higher risk due to their jobs, like firefighters. Early detection can lead to better outcomes by catching cancer when it is more treatable. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lecia V Sequist, MD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Erica T Warner, ScD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for current or retired firefighters aged 40-80, or those with at least 10 years of firefighting experience. Participants must be willing to undergo LDCT lung screening and have no personal history of lung cancer. Active cancer patients are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing to undergo or have had a low-dose CT scan within the last year and can share the images.

I am between 40 and 80 years old or have been a firefighter for 10 years.

Current or former firefighters

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last 5 years.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Low-Dose CT Scan

Participants undergo a Low Dose CT Scan of the Chest to evaluate nodule detection rates and other lung conditions

12 months

Annual visit for CT scan

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the CT scan

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Low Dose CT

Trial Overview

The study is testing if Low Dose CT (LDCT) scans show different results in firefighters compared to non-firefighters, how job exposures affect scan findings, and if a proteomics assay can help assess the risk of detected lung nodules.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Low-Dose CT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Low Dose CT Scan of the Chest

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Citations

1.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39164595/

Examination of Firefighting as an Occupational Exposure ...

We hypothesize that firefighting is an independent risk factor associated with the development of high-risk lung nodules on low-dose CT (LDCT).

2.

stacks.cdc.gov

stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225094/cdc_225094_DS1.pdf

Performance of Risk Factor-Based Guidelines and Model- ...

factor-based guidelines and risk model-based strategies are used to identify patients who could benefit from low-dose chest CT (LDCT) screening.

3.

auntminnie.com

auntminnie.com/clinical-news/ct/article/15682277/lcs-guidelines-should-include-occupational-exposure-criteria

LCS guidelines should include occupational exposure ...

Among the firefighters who underwent LDCT, 1,339 (99.4%) were discovered to have a lung nodule. Forty-one (3%) firefighters had high-risk (Lung- ...

4.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012369220353149

Performance of Risk Factor-Based Guidelines and Model ...

A study of LDCT in 7189 nuclear weapons workers detected 80 lung cancers, where nearly 60% were stage I and an additional 10% were stage II [64]. Evaluation of ...

5.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12415432/

Low-Dose Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening ...

The LDCT group displayed a nonsignificant 30% decrease in lung cancer-specific mortality and 17% decrease in overall mortality at the 9-year ...

6.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06836414

NCT06836414 | Lung Cancer Screening CT for Firefighters

Participants will be administered a single, low dose chest CT to included participants and collect comprehensive demographic, clinical, and occupational data.

7.

acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.32721

New research finds lung cancer screening guidelines are ...

No current guidelines recommend using low-dose CT in individuals such as first responders who may develop the disease from occupational ...