Sequential chemotherapy and immunotherapy with radiation for elderly lung cancer patients

Plain-English translation of NCT05557552 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2024 · Translation generated August 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 chemotherapy first, followed by immunotherapy (a treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer) and radiation therapy one after the other works well for older adults or people in frail health with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. The study will also test two different radiation dose levels to find the safest and most effective approach for this patient group. Currently, the standard treatment combines chemotherapy and radiation at the same time, which can be too harsh for some older or frailer patients.

Many older adults and frail patients with advanced lung cancer cannot safely receive the standard treatment because it is too toxic and may cause serious side effects. This trial aims to find a gentler but still effective treatment plan by spacing out the therapies instead of giving them together.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are age 18 or older at the time of enrollment
you have been diagnosed with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer that has been confirmed by biopsy or cytology
you are considered unfit for standard combined chemotherapy and radiation due to older age (70+), weaker performance status, or other medical conditions
you have adequate heart, liver, and kidney function as shown by blood tests
you have adequate lung function (FEV1 greater than 1 liter or 30% of predicted, and DLCO greater than 30% of predicted)
you have a life expectancy of at least 3 months

You likely don't qualify if…

you have previously received chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy for lung cancer
you have had major surgery in the past 28 days
you have a history of organ transplant, autoimmune disease, immunodeficiency, hepatitis, or HIV
you are pregnant or breastfeeding
you have another active cancer or cancer that has spread to the membranes around your brain

What participation looks like

You would receive chemotherapy first, followed by radiation therapy to your chest, and then immunotherapy medication to help keep the cancer from returning. The treatments would be given in sequence rather than all at once, which may be easier for your body to tolerate. You would have regular clinic visits and scans to monitor how well the treatment is working and to check for any side effects. The trial is comparing two different radiation dose levels to see which is safer and more effective for patients like you.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 8, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai jiaotong univestigy school of medicine, Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality