Blood Test Biomarkers for Lung Nodule Evaluation

Researchers are collecting blood samples from people with lung nodules (small spots in the lungs seen on imaging) to develop and test biomarkers—natural signs in the blood that might help doctors determine whether a nodule is cancer or something harmless. The study will compare blood samples from people with suspicious nodules, people with a prior history of cancer, and healthy volunteers to figure out which biomarkers work best in real clinical practice.

When doctors find a lung nodule on a scan, it's often unclear whether it's cancer or benign (non-cancerous). Currently, doctors must use invasive procedures like biopsies or intensive imaging to get answers. A reliable blood test could help doctors make better decisions about which nodules need urgent attention and which can be safely watched—avoiding unnecessary procedures and reducing patient worry.