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We surface trials from the U.S. National Library of Medicine with plain-English explanations of what each trial is actually testing. Enrollment is competitive — knowing where you stand is the first step.
Searching ClinicalTrials.gov...
Most lung cancer clinical trials today require molecular testing. These biomarkers appear most often in eligibility criteria — find yours on your pathology or genomic sequencing report (NGS panel).
The most critical biomarkers for lung cancer trial eligibility are: EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion, L858R, exon 20 insertion), KRAS G12C, ALK fusion, ROS1 fusion, MET exon 14 skipping, RET fusion, BRAF V600E, and PD-L1 expression (TPS%).
Ask your oncologist for comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS). Panels like FoundationOne CDx or Tempus xT cover all of these. If you only have a pathology report, upload it — we'll identify which biomarkers are present.
After osimertinib progression, trial options depend on your acquired resistance mechanism. Common options include: MET amplification targeting trials (tepotinib or capmatinib combinations), EGFR C797S mutation trials, combined EGFR + MEK inhibitor studies, and immunotherapy combinations for patients with high PD-L1.
Getting a liquid biopsy or repeat biopsy after progression is strongly recommended — the resistance mechanism determines which trial you qualify for.
Yes — most Phase 2 and Phase 3 lung cancer trials are specifically designed for patients who have had prior treatment. These are called second-line or third-line trials. The key eligibility factors are how many prior lines of treatment you've had, and whether you received specific drugs a trial excludes (e.g., prior anti-PD-1 therapy may exclude some immunotherapy trials).
Yes. Most actively recruiting trials focus on Stage IIIB or Stage IV (advanced or metastatic) disease. Stage I/II patients may qualify for adjuvant therapy trials after surgery. Stage III patients may qualify for consolidation or locally-advanced trials.
Always check the specific stage requirements listed under eligibility criteria — this is one of the first filters we apply when matching your profile.
Typically: (1) Pathology report with molecular profiling results (NGS panel), (2) Recent imaging reports (CT, PET scan), (3) List of prior treatments with dates and outcomes, (4) ECOG performance status from your oncologist, (5) Recent blood work (CBC, metabolic panel, liver/kidney function).
Each trial on ClinicalTrials.gov lists a central contact phone number and email. When calling, lead with: your exact diagnosis ("Stage IV NSCLC"), your biomarker status ("EGFR exon 19 deletion positive"), and your treatment history ("progressed on osimertinib").
Alongside provides a word-for-word phone script and email template customized to your profile — so you don't have to figure out what to say.
Phase 1 tests safety. Phase 2 tests whether the treatment works. Phase 3 compares the new treatment against the current standard. Most patients look for Phase 2 or 3 trials, where the treatment has shown early promise.
Every trial has a checklist of who can and cannot join. These might include your cancer stage, specific gene mutations, prior treatments, age, and overall health. Meeting these is required — not optional.
No. The experimental treatment in a clinical trial is free. You may still have to pay for routine care like doctor visits, but the trial drug or procedure itself is covered by the sponsor.
Recruiting means the trial is actively looking for participants right now. "Not yet recruiting" means it's approved but hasn't started. "Active, not recruiting" means it's ongoing but has all the participants it needs.