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Lung Cancer Clinical Trials: Types, Biomarkers, and Recruiting Studies | TrialFinder
HomeResourcesLung Cancer Clinical Trials: How Type and Biomarkers Shape Eligibility

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Published · September 18, 2026

Lung Cancer Clinical Trials: How Type and Biomarkers Shape Eligibility

Lung cancer starts when cells in the lung grow out of control. It usually begins in the lining of the airways. It is not one disease. Two people with "lung cancer" on a report can have a different type, a different stage, and different gene changes in the tumor. Those details are what usually decide which treatments are standard and which clinical trials may fit.

The two main groups are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the large majority. It includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other non-small cell types. SCLC is less common and is treated as a separate disease: it is staged differently and uses different regimens. Trial lists follow that split. A listing written for NSCLC is not interchangeable with one written for SCLC.

Stage describes how far the cancer has grown or spread. Many trials enroll only a stated range of stages, such as cancer that is still confined to the chest, or cancer that has already spread. The exact cutoffs are written into each protocol. Stage does not replace type or biomarker results; it is checked alongside them.

For NSCLC especially, molecular testing can look for changes such as EGFR, ALK, and KRAS. Other genes sometimes appear on a report, including ROS1 and BRAF. Some immunotherapy studies mention PD-L1. A trial may require one of these, exclude it, or not mention it. The exact variant matters.

Lung cancer treatment continues to change as targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and combinations are studied. A clinical trial is one option to raise with the treating oncologist. It is not automatically better than approved treatment. The useful question is whether a given study matches this type, stage, molecular profile, and treatment history.

NSCLC and SCLC are not interchangeable

The two main groups are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). They behave differently, are staged differently, and open different trial lists. A report that only says "lung cancer" is not enough to judge eligibility.

NSCLC is the more common group. It includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other non-small cell types. Many targeted-therapy trials sit in this group because they require a specific gene change.

SCLC is a separate disease. It tends to be treated with different regimens, and its trial lists are not interchangeable with NSCLC lists.

The plain-language clinical trial glossary can help with terms such as eligibility, phase, and standard of care.

Biomarkers that actually separate one trial from another

For NSCLC especially, molecular testing can look for changes such as EGFR, ALK, KRAS, and others. A trial may require one of these, exclude it, or not mention it at all.

The exact variant matters. An EGFR exon 19 deletion is not the same question as an uncommon EGFR mutation. For that narrower topic, see osimertinib for uncommon EGFR mutations.

ALK rearrangements and KRAS changes, including substitutions such as KRAS G12C, also split protocols. Other genes can appear on a report, including ROS1 and BRAF. Immunotherapy studies may mention PD-L1. A PD-L1 result does not by itself say which studies fit.

Some of these changes have approved targeted treatments in defined settings. Those approvals depend on the exact variant, the stage, prior treatment, the test that was used, and the country where care is given. A labeled indication is not the same as limited evidence or an ongoing study.

Recruiting lung cancer trials

Questions to ask an oncologist

A short list is usually enough:

  • Is this NSCLC or SCLC, and what is the stage?
  • What molecular tests were done, and what were the exact results (EGFR, ALK, KRAS, or others)?
  • Which treatments have already been used?
  • For this type, stage, and molecular profile, what is approved or considered standard where I live?
  • Are there recruiting trials that match this exact profile, and how do they differ from standard care?

Want to prepare for the appointment? The guide How to Talk to Your Doctor About Clinical Trials explains how to raise the topic and what to bring with you.

Sources

  • NCI: Lung cancer
  • NCI PDQ: Non-small cell lung cancer treatment
  • NCI PDQ: Small cell lung cancer treatment
  • NCI: Biomarker testing for cancer treatment
  • Recruiting-trial facts on this page come from ClinicalTrials.gov and are shown through TrialFinder listings.

In depth

  • Osimertinib for Uncommon EGFR Mutations: What the Evidence Shows

    Osimertinib (Tagrisso) for uncommon EGFR mutations such as G719X, S768I, L861Q, and exon 20 insertions: what the evidence covers, plus active clinical trials.

Further reading

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Clinical Trials What questions should you ask your doctor about clinical trials? A step-by-step guide for patients: when to bring it up, what to prepare, and what to do after.

Key Clinical Trial Terms Plain-language explanations of terms patients and families encounter during the clinical trial process.

Start Here: How to Search for Clinical Trials on TrialFinder A step-by-step guide to finding clinical trials on TrialFinder. Learn how to search by condition, use filters, and understand your results.

Before You Join a Clinical Trial: Screening, Informed Consent, and Red Flags What happens between finding a clinical trial and your first visit: screening, the informed consent form, the questions worth asking, common fears answered plainly, and the red flags that should make you walk away.

Osimertinib for Uncommon EGFR Mutations: What the Evidence Shows Osimertinib (Tagrisso) for uncommon EGFR mutations such as G719X, S768I, L861Q, and exon 20 insertions: what the evidence covers, plus active clinical trials.

Clinical Trials in Mental Health: What Patients and Families Should Know Mental health clinical trials can test medications, psychotherapy, TMS devices, digital therapeutics, and psychedelic-assisted treatment. Here is how they differ from cancer trials, and how to start looking.

The Reminder Moderna and Merck's Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccine Gives Us About Clinical Trials Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA cancer vaccine just hit its Phase 3 endpoints in melanoma. Here's what it teaches us about the value of joining clinical trials.

Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer: Compassionate Use for KRAS Mutations Explained The new drug Daraxonrasib showed impressive survival results for eligible pancreatic cancer patients. It is currently available via compassionate use. Here is what you need to know.

What is a Clinical Trial? (It's More Than You Think) How clinical trials work, why they matter, and what patients should know before considering one.

Not a Perfect Match? Tips for Getting Into a Clinical Trial Anyway A rejection from a clinical trial doesn't have to be the end. Practical tips for patients and caregivers who hit a wall.

How to Talk About Clinical Trials with a Family Member A guide for caregivers on introducing clinical trials to a loved one who is hesitant, tired, or afraid.

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This article was written by a patient advocate based on personal experience, not by a medical professional. It is not medical advice. Consult your doctor before making any medical decisions.

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Trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov. For information only.

This list is limited to recruiting studies whose title or listed conditions name lung cancer, NSCLC, or SCLC. A biomarker heading appears only when that biomarker is named in those same fields. Stage is not used as a heading, because it is often missing there.

Histology

Disease stage

Biomarker

Treatment setting

Loading matching clinical trials

Trials whose title or listed conditions name SCLC

  • A Study of Armored CAR T Cells in People With Cancer

    Neuroendocrine Cancer · Small Cell Lung Cancer · Small Cell Lung Cancer ( SCLC )

    United StatesRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Basking Ridge, United States · Middletown, United States

  • A Study of Alisertib in Patients With Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

    Small Cell Lung Cancer

    United StatesRecruitingPhase 2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Daphne, United States · Long Beach, United States

  • A Phase I Study to Evaluate the Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE Injection Combined With Tislelizumab in the Maintenance Treatment Period for Patients of Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (ES-SCLC) With Somatostatin Receptors (SSTR)+ as First-line Treatment

    SCLC, Extensive Stage

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Beijing, China

  • A PHASE I STUDY OF ALPS12 IN PATIENTS WITH EXTENSIVE STAGE SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

    Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

    3 countriesRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Hong Kong, Hong Kong · Kashiwa, Japan

  • Trilaciclib vs Placebo in Patients With Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (ES-SCLC) Receiving Topotecan

    Extensive-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer

    SpainRecruitingPhase 4
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Seville, Spain

  • A Study of MHB088C Injection Versus Treatment of Physician's Choice in Subjects With Relapsed Small Cell Lung Cancer

    Small Cell Lung Cancer Extensive Stage

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 3
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Shanghai, China

Trials whose title or listed conditions name EGFR

  • First in Human Multicenter Open Name Dose-increase, Consolidation Method to Study Safety Drug-level in Blood & Drug Metabolism Clinical Activity of Oral JBI-778 in Lung Cancer Patients With, Without Brain Metastasis IDH Mutated WHO Grade 3,4 Recurrent Glioma, Salivary Glands Tumor

    NSCLC Patients With EGFR Activating Mutation · Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Metastatic · Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

    IndiaRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Surat, India · Bangalore, India

  • Targeted Induction Therapy for Stage III Unresectable EGFR Mutant Positive NSCLC

    EGFR · NSCLC (Non-small Cell Lung Cancer) · Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Shanghai, China

  • Phase III Trial of SYS6010 Versus Platinum-based Chemotherapy for EGFR-mutated NSCLC（SYNSTAR01）

    EGFR-mutated Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 3
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Shanghai, China

  • Sunvozertinib Combined With Chemotherapy for EGFRm After EGFR-TKI Treatment Failure：Phase I/II

    Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 1/2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Chengdu, China

  • ORIC-114 in Combination With Subcutaneous Amivantamab in Patients With EGFR Exon20 Insertion Mutant NSCLC

    Solid Tumors · EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations · NSCLC

    3 countriesRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    New York, United States · Fairfax, United States

  • Local Ablative Therapy to Oligoresidual Metastasis in EGFR Mutated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

    Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

    Hong Kong SAR ChinaRecruitingPhase 2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

  • Sunvozertinib Treatment in Untreated Advanced NSCLC With EGFR Uncommon Mutations

    Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Shanghai, China

  • Vebreltinib Plus PLB1004 in EGFR-mutated, Advanced NSCLC With MET Amplification or MET Overexpression Following EGFR-TKI

    Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 1/2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Shanghai, China

  • A Study of the Oral EGFR Inhibitor PLB1004 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    United StatesRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Sacramento, United States · Louisville, United States

  • A Phase 2 Clinical Study of Combination Therapy With ABSK043 and Firmonertinib

    Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With EGFR Mutation

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Hefei, China · Harbin, China

  • Savolitinib Plus Docetaxel as 2L in EGFR/ALK/ROS1/MET ex14m-wildtype NSCLC With MET Overexpression

    Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 1/2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Guangzhou, China

  • Armatinib Alone or in Combination With SRT for Brain Metastases EGFR-mutated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

    Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Metastatic

    ChinaRecruitingPhase 3
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Shanghai, China

Trials whose title or listed conditions name KRAS

  • TCR1188-ABC Cells in KRAS-mutated Cancers

    Cholangiocarcinoma · Colorectal Cancer · Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    United StatesRecruitingPhase 1
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Philadelphia, United States

Trials whose title or listed conditions name NSCLC

  • Administration of Autologous T-Cells Genetically Engineered to Express T-Cell Receptors Reactive Against Neoantigens in People With Metastatic Cancer

    Endocrine Tumors · Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer · Ovarian Cancer

    United StatesRecruitingPhase 2
    Simple summary·Eligibility check·Doctor guide
    Bethesda, United States

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