Recruiting

Finding Early Warning Signs of Lung and Head-Neck Cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT00900419 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

Researchers are looking for early warning signs—called biomarkers—that might help predict who will develop lung cancer, head and neck cancer, or esophageal cancer. By collecting and studying tissue samples from people with these cancers or precancerous changes in their airways, the study aims to understand what happens in the cells before cancer develops. This knowledge could eventually help doctors catch cancer much earlier, when it's easier to treat.

Right now, doctors have limited tools to predict which patients with precancerous changes in their airways will actually develop cancer. By identifying specific biological markers that appear early in this process, researchers hope to create better screening methods and catch these cancers at earlier, more treatable stages.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, or precancerous changes in your airways
you are undergoing a bronchoscopy (a procedure to look inside your lungs) for diagnosis, staging, or monitoring of lung cancer
you are undergoing routine examination for head and neck cancer
you have survived cancer of the food pipe, throat, or airways for at least one year
you are a healthy volunteer without cancer or airway disease

You likely don't qualify if…

you have active asthma or other chronic lung disease
you have had a respiratory infection in the past 2 weeks
you have uncontrolled heart disease, dangerous heart rhythms, or a recent heart attack (within 6 weeks)
you have a known bleeding disorder or take blood thinners that cannot be stopped
you have active bronchitis or pneumonia in the past 8 weeks (unless it may be related to lung cancer)

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you'll undergo a bronchoscopy—a procedure where a thin tube with a camera is gently passed into your lungs so doctors can collect small tissue samples, fluid, and cell brushings. You may also provide a sputum (coughed-up fluid) sample. All samples are sent to a lab where researchers study them for early cancer warning signs. Unused samples are stored in a tissue bank for future research. The entire procedure typically takes place during a single visit, though some participants may need follow-up monitoring bronchoscopies.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 13, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

University of Colorado Cancer Center at UC Health Sciences Center, Aurora, Colorado