A global clinical trial, named TOURIST, has commenced, aiming to enroll nearly 1,000 patients newly diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy in improving outcomes. Sponsored by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and managed by Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, this study addresses a critical need for patients with advanced NSCLC, who often face a poor prognosis.
The TOURIST trial is supported by a £3.4 million grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The trial focuses on patients with stage IV NSCLC, where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Approximately half (44%) of NSCLC patients in the UK are diagnosed at this late stage, where treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms and extending life rather than achieving a cure.
"Most people with stage IV NSCLC lung cancer are eligible for this trial so it’s very inclusive," said Dr. David Woolf, consultant oncologist at The Christie and joint chief investigator for the TOURIST trial. "This is the first time we have delivered a trial in radiotherapy for stage IV NSCLC patients for 2 decades so it’s a big deal. Techniques have advanced to such an extent in this time that we believe that radiotherapy can bring additional benefit to patients undergoing their standard treatments. This study aims to provide enough evidence to change clinical practice globally and could help up to a million people a year worldwide."
Professor Matthew Hatton, honorary professor of oncology at The University of Sheffield and joint chief investigator for the TOURIST trial, added, "Stage IV is the most advanced form of the condition and the most challenging to treat. Unfortunately, almost half of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at this late stage. So we really need to determine if, using modern radiotherapy techniques, we can improve outcomes for these patients. Our aim with this trial is to improve the quality of life, reduce symptoms associated with this disease and extend life expectancy."
NSCLC represents 85% to 90% of all lung cancer cases globally, with a significant proportion diagnosed at stage IV. This late-stage diagnosis contributes to 1.2 million deaths worldwide each year. The TOURIST trial seeks to determine whether modern radiotherapy techniques can improve outcomes for these patients.
Nicky Downs, Senior Trial Manager for the TOURIST trial at the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, stated, "We are delighted to be running this trial which we hope will improve treatments for patients who have been diagnosed with this late-stage cancer. The hope is that the TOURIST trial will expand in the coming months to include even more patients and to help us understand the disease and how we can control patient’s symptoms better."
Patients with stage IV NSCLC interested in participating in the TOURIST trial are encouraged to discuss this option with their local oncologist.
