Radiation therapy before lung transplant to treat lung cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT04782752 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2026 · Translation generated September 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether giving short courses of radiation therapy to lung tumors, followed by surgery to remove them during a lung transplant, can help prevent cancer from returning. The study aims to find the right radiation dose that works best while being safe for different groups of patients with lung disease and cancer.

Some patients with advanced lung disease also have lung cancer that cannot be treated with standard surgery or other radiation options. This trial explores whether using radiation before transplant surgery might help train the immune system to fight any remaining cancer cells and improve outcomes.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 18 years old
you have end-stage lung disease (such as interstitial lung disease, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary hypertension) with early-stage lung cancer, or you have multiple lung tumors or lung metastases that cannot be treated with standard surgery or radiation
you meet all other requirements for lung transplant, except for the cancer diagnosis
you are able to understand the risks and benefits and provide written consent to participate

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the chest or to other parts of your body
you have had previous radiation to your chest that would overlap with this treatment area
you are unable to provide informed consent
you have another medical condition that would interfere with your ability to participate or tolerate the treatment

What participation looks like

You would receive radiation therapy given in three separate sessions over a few days or weeks, targeting your lung tumor. The radiation dose will depend on your type of lung disease and tumor size. After the radiation, you would proceed to lung transplant surgery to remove the treated tumor and receive your donor lungs. Throughout the study, you would be monitored closely for any side effects from the radiation and the overall success of the treatment approach.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 19, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Canada

Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario