CompletedInterventional

Quality of life after radiotherapy treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer

The QUARTZ LUNG study is a UK clinical trial for people diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer who are not having treatments like chemotherapy. Doctors want to find out if adding low-dose radiotherapy to the chest can help ease symptoms, improve daily wellbeing, and help people live more comfortably. Participants are placed into one of two groups by chance. Both groups receive full supportive care from NHS doctors and nurses to manage symptoms like pain or cough. One group will also receive a short course of low-dose radiotherapy to the chest area. The trial team stays in regular touch for six months through normal hospital visits or phone calls. They will ask simple questions about your energy levels, symptoms, and daily routine. Taking part helps doctors learn the best, kindest ways to treat advanced lung cancer in the future.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

448

Start

24 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

14 Sep 2026

Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

What is this study about?

Radiotherapy uses targeted energy beams to treat cancer cells and help ease symptoms such as a cough, chest pain, or breathlessness. For people with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer, doctors often use radiotherapy to help patients stay comfortable rather than to cure the disease. However, treatment plans differ across hospitals because the guidelines are based on older research. Doctors want clear, up-to-date evidence on the best doses and timing to use.

Modern radiotherapy machines are far more precise than they used to be, meaning they can treat areas of the body with fewer side effects. The QUARTZ LUNG trial was designed to find out whether giving modern, low-dose radiotherapy to the chest truly makes a difference to how people feel each day, or whether supportive symptom care on its own provides the best balance of comfort.

By comparing two groups of patients across the UK—one receiving supportive care alone and one receiving supportive care alongside radiotherapy—the study will measure changes in symptoms, daily activities, and quality of life. This will help NHS teams provide the most effective and supportive care for people living with advanced lung cancer.

Key takeaways

Tests whether low-dose chest radiotherapy improves daily quality of life in stage 4 lung cancer.
Open to people aged 16 and over who are not receiving chemotherapy or other whole-body treatments.
Half of the participants receive supportive care alone, and half receive supportive care with radiotherapy.
Regular check-ins take place over six months and can often be done over the phone.
Every participant receives full NHS care to control pain and symptoms.

Who may be eligible?

You may be able to join this study if you are 16 or older and have been diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that affects your chest. You must be well enough to manage daily self-care and attend check-ups, and you must not be having whole-body cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

The trial is not suitable for people who need emergency chest radiotherapy right away to treat severe symptoms. It is also not open to people with certain other lung conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis, or those who have had previous treatments for this cancer. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot take part.

Your hospital doctor will look at your recent scans and overall health to help you decide if this trial is safe and suitable for your situation.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 16 or over.
I have been diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer.
I am not currently having chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted cancer drugs.
I do not need emergency chest radiotherapy right away.
I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join, you will first have simple screening checks, such as review of your medical history and recent scans, to make sure the trial is safe for you. A computer then randomly places you into one of two groups. One group receives supportive care tailored to your symptoms. The other group receives the same supportive care plus a short course of low-dose chest radiotherapy, which begins within three weeks.

If you receive radiotherapy, you will attend a planning session with a quick CT scan so the hospital team can map out your treatment. Over the next six months, the research team will check on you at regular intervals—usually during routine appointments or through quick telephone calls. They will check your weight, review your medicines, and ask you to complete short questionnaires about your daily activities and how you are feeling.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part may help relieve your chest symptoms and improve your comfort, but there is no guarantee of direct medical benefit. Your participation will help doctors better understand how to care for other people with lung cancer in the future. Radiotherapy can cause temporary side effects, such as feeling tired, skin redness, or a sore throat when swallowing. Radiotherapy and CT scans also involve small amounts of medical radiation. You are free to leave the trial at any time without giving a reason, and your regular NHS medical care will continue as normal.

Locations (18)

Nottingham City Hospital
City only
Nottingham, England
King's Mill Hospital
City only
Sutton-in-Ashfield, England
Weston Park Hospital
Approximate
Sheffield, England
Leighton Hospital
City only
Crewe, England
New Cross Hospital
Approximate
Wolverhampton, England
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Unverified
Exeter, England
The Christie Hospital
Unverified
Manchester, England
Queen's Hospital
Unverified
Romford, Essex, England
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Unverified
Shrewsbury, England
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Unverified
Liverpool, England
Colchester Hospital
Unverified
Colchester, England
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Unverified
Guildford, England

Common questions

Will I definitely receive radiotherapy if I take part?

Not necessarily. A computer randomly decides whether you receive supportive care alone or supportive care with radiotherapy. You have an equal chance of being in either group.

What is supportive care?

Supportive care (also called palliative care) focuses on keeping you comfortable. It includes medicines and therapies to manage pain, breathlessness, cough, and any other symptoms you may experience.

Do I have to travel to hospital for every appointment?

No. Many of the follow-up check-ins can take place over the telephone, or during clinic visits you would already be attending for your routine NHS care.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes. Taking part is completely voluntary. You can stop participating at any time, and your doctors will continue to give you the best possible standard care.

Will I still be able to take my normal medicines?

Yes. You can continue taking your usual medications for symptom control and other health conditions. Your care team will review all your medicines to make sure they are safe.

How to find out more

Siva Saranya

tourist-quartzlung@soton.ac.uk +44 (0)23 8120 5154 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.