5 Recruiting Clinical Trials Advancing Lung Cancer Research – Screening, Novel Combination Therapy, First-of-Its-Kind Surgery, and Vaccines
Each year, more than 209,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with lung cancer, making it one of the most common—and challenging—cancers today. These numbers highlight not only the need for better treatments but also the importance of clinical trial awareness—helping patients understand available research, encouraging early screening, reducing stigma, and driving participation in studies.
At TrialX, we help make that research more accessible through our AI-powered clinical trial finder, connecting patients with studies that may be right for them. In this blog, we highlight five ongoing lung cancer trials that are opening doors to new treatments and better care.
1. Improving Lung Biopsies with Robotic Bronchoscopy – The VESPA vs. LADS Trial
Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This trial compares two techniques used during robotic bronchoscopy to prevent part of the lung from collapsing—a problem that can block doctors’ view of tiny nodules. Since clear visibility is critical for accurate biopsies, the goal is to determine which method gives doctors the best results.
Why It Stands Out
Robotic bronchoscopy is already a breakthrough way to reach and biopsy hard-to-access nodules deep inside the lungs. Improving the stability of the lung during this procedure could make it even safer and more reliable.
What It Could Mean for Patients
Patients with small lung nodules may benefit from faster, more accurate diagnoses, supporting earlier treatment and better outcomes.
Location: Recruiting at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Check trial details and eligibility.
2. Testing a New Combination for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer
Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This study looks at whether combining osimertinib (a standard targeted therapy for EGFR-mutant lung cancer) with chemotherapy works better than osimertinib alone. The aim is to see if adding chemotherapy can delay resistance and slow cancer growth.
Why It Stands Out
Osimertinib has transformed treatment for patients with EGFR mutations, but resistance eventually develops. By pairing it with chemotherapy, researchers hope to extend the drug’s effectiveness and improve outcomes.
What It Could Mean for Patients
For people with metastatic EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, this study could provide longer-lasting treatment responses and give doctors clearer guidance on whether combination therapy should become standard care.
Location: Recruiting at multiple centers, including Memorial Sloan Kettering (New York, NY)
See if this study is right for you.
3. A Potential Breakthrough for Lung Cancer Patients – Olomorasib + Immunotherapy
Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This study is testing a new approach for a specific type of lung cancer called KRAS G12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. The researchers want to see if adding a new drug called olomorasib to existing immunotherapy medicines works better than immunotherapy alone.
Why It Stands Out
Olomorasib is a second-generation KRAS G12C inhibitor that has shown promising activity in early studies. By combining it with immunotherapy, researchers aim to tackle the mutation while engaging the immune system—a dual approach that could redefine treatment for patients with KRAS-driven NSCLC.
What It Could Mean for Patients
Patients with this mutation may gain access to a therapy designed to target the root cause of their cancer while enhancing the immune response. If effective, this approach could improve survival and quality of life, offering hope where treatment options are limited.
Location: Recruiting at multiple sites in the United States
Explore eligibility and study details.
4. First-of-Its-Kind Surgical Study to Reduce Cancer Spread During Lung Surgery
Sponsor: Thomas Jefferson University
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This study looks at whether the order of cutting blood vessels during lung surgery—pulmonary vein first vs. pulmonary artery first—affects the release of cancer DNA into the blood. Cutting the vein first may prevent tumor cells from spreading, potentially lowering the risk of cancer coming back.
Why It Stands Out
Even after successful surgery, cancer can return if cells escape during the operation. This trial is one of the first to test how a simple change in technique could reduce that risk using measurable markers in the blood.
What It Could Mean for Patients
If effective, this approach could improve long-term survival and offer safer, more precise lung surgery for patients with early- to mid-stage lung cancer.
Location: Recruiting at multiple sites in Pennsylvania
Learn more about this study and see if you’re eligible.
5. A Cancer Vaccine Combination for Advanced Lung Cancer – EMPOWERVAX Lung 1
Sponsor: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
What It’s Testing and Why It Matters
This Phase II trial is testing BNT116, an experimental cancer vaccine, in combination with cemiplimab (an approved immunotherapy). The goal is to see if the vaccine can boost the effects of immunotherapy in treating advanced NSCLC with high PD-L1 expression.
Why It Stands Out
Cancer vaccines are an emerging frontier in immunotherapy. Unlike standard treatments that only block cancer growth, a vaccine can prime the immune system to actively attack tumors, potentially creating a more durable response. When combined with a PD-1 inhibitor like cemiplimab, this strategy could overcome some limitations of existing immunotherapies and offer new hope for patients.
What It Could Mean for Patients
For newly diagnosed patients with advanced NSCLC, this study may provide a novel option that builds on current immunotherapies—potentially leading to better tumor control and longer survival.
Location: Recruiting at major cancer centers across the U.S., Europe, and Asia
Find out more about eligibility.
These clinical trials highlight the progress being made to improve lung cancer detection and treatment. Awareness is more than knowing the risks—it’s about understanding the possibilities science is opening up every day. By staying informed, patients, families, and communities can play an active role in supporting research that brings new options to those facing lung cancer.
To explore ongoing clinical trials and find studies that may be relevant, visit TrialX.com or join our Volunteer Registry to be notified of future studies that match your interests. You can also learn more through trusted resources such as the American Lung Association, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, and National Cancer Institute.
