A study looking at new ways to diagnose and monitor people with diseases of the lung lining (SPOTLight)
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is for people living with diseases of the lung lining (pleura).
The researchers are looking at how living with these conditions can affect people’s 
. They are also:
- using blood samples, fluid from the lung lining and tissue samples to find out if there are better ways to test for, and monitor, these conditions
- looking for ways to predict how well treatment might work
The study is for people having care at Southmead hospital which is part of the North Bristol NHS Trust.
More about this trial
The pleura is two sheets of skin-like tissue that cover each lung. These are also called pleural membranes.
Conditions that happen because of problems to the pleura include:
- thickening of the pleura
- fluid collecting around the lung lining (pleural effusion)
- a collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- a rare cancer of the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma)
Living with these conditions can cause breathlessness which can be severe. So, doctors would like to improve the treatment and support available for people in this situation.
The researchers would like to find out how living with, and treatment for, these conditions affect everyday life. They will do this by asking questions about how people feel and about any symptoms or side effects they have.
There is no specific test to find out if you have a pleural disease. So, people often have a number of tests to diagnose their condition. And to help doctors make decisions about treatment.
As part of the for pleural conditions you might have tests such as:
- blood tests
- pictures of the inside of your body - such as a chest x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound scan
- fluid taken from the pleural space
- tissue sample (
biopsy )
The researchers would like to use the results of these routine care tests to learn:
- more about pleural diseases
- how best to diagnose and treat them in the future
The aims of the study are to:
- look at samples to find new ways to diagnose and monitor pleural conditions
- look at samples to find ways to predict how well treatment might work. This might be used to improve treatment in the future.
- find out more about quality of life
Please note, you might not benefit directly from taking part in this study. It might help improve treatment experiences for other people with lung conditions in the future.
Who can enter
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this study if doctors can see on a that you have one of the following:
- a collection of fluid in the sheets that cover the lungs (pleura). This is called a
pleural effusion . - an area of the chest wall that has thickened or scarred and your doctor thinks this is not from a condition called a pleural plaque. Your doctor can explain more.
- a collapsed lung - which is also called a pneumothorax. This could be with, or without, a lung disease or injury that could have caused the collapsed lung.
And all of the following apply. You:
- normally live in the catchment area of the Bristol hospitals. Or you live close enough to travel to the North Bristol NHS Trust and you are not planning on moving soon.
- have access to a telephone or the internet, or both
- are at least 16 years old
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You:
- have taken part in the SPOTLight study before
- are not well enough in yourself to take part in the study. Your doctor can explain more.
Trial design
This is an observational study. The researchers would like at least 600 people to take part over 5 years. They hope to extend the study and would then like at least 1,200 people to take part over 10 years.
Samples
Your healthcare team take samples to diagnose and manage your condition. This is part of your routine care.
The samples might include:
- blood tests
- tests on fluid from the pleural space
- a biopsy
The researchers use the results of these tests, alongside any test and scan results, to learn more about pleural conditions.
Samples for research
The researchers would like to collect some extra samples at the same time you are having routine tests. These samples would be saved for future research looking at these conditions.
The researchers would also like to look at in the tissue samples. This might give information about why these conditions develop. And help to try and find new ways to diagnose and treat them.
Medical records
The researchers will also ask your permission to access your NHS medical records to get more information about your condition.
Quality of life questionnaires
You fill in a questionnaire at the clinic when you join the study. This is to find out about how you are feeling and about your symptoms. You then fill in a questionnaire:
- around 4 months after you joined the study
- around 1 year after you joined the study
You can choose whether this is:
- face to face – if you are at the hospital for another reason
- over the phone
- by email
- by post
Support groups
The researchers would also like people to have the opportunity to join patient support groups at the hospital.
The researchers would like to work alongside the support groups to:
- help design future research studies
- help improve the way researchers communicate with people affected by lung conditions
Hospital visits
You see the study team and have some tests before you take part in the study. These are part of your routine care. These include:
- a
physical examination - blood tests
scans - a sample taken from the pleural fluid or pleural tissue
You might have an extra blood test as part of this study. This is if you’ve already had your routine care blood tests, and you want to take part in the study.
You don’t have to go to the hospital for your follow up quality of life questionnaires unless this suits you best.
Side effects
The study team do not think there will be any extra risks to you by taking part in this study.
We have information on tests and scans including possible side effects.
Location
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Dr Rahul Bhatnagar
Supported by
North Bristol NHS Trust
Bristol Academic Respiratory Unit
Southmead Hospital Charity
Rocket Medical PLC
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
