A study looking at blood tests to diagnose mesothelioma (DIAPHRAGM)
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is looking at the value of 2 blood tests in the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.
More about this trial
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the lung. It is related to previous exposure to asbestos, although not everyone who has been exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma.
If you have pleural mesothelioma you may have fluid around your lungs (
). But mesothelioma isn’t the only condition that can cause this. To find out what caused the fluid around your lung, the doctor will take a sample of the fluid. They may also take a sample of tissue (biopsy) from the lining of your lung.
The researchers want to take 2 blood samples from people when they first come to hospital with a pleural effusion or a pleural mass. As mesothelioma is rare, they estimate that only a small number of these people will be diagnosed with mesothelioma. They also want to take blood samples from people who have been exposed to asbestos in the past but do not have a pleural effusion or a previous diagnosis of mesothelioma.
They will compare the results of all the blood samples to see if the substances in the blood () they are planning on testing can be used to diagnose mesothelioma in the future.
Who can enter
You may be able to join this study if you have a collection of fluid between your chest wall and lung (a pleural effusion). And your doctor has decided you need further tests to find out the cause. This does not mean that you have pleural mesothelioma but you do require further tests to help work out the cause of your pleural effusion.
You cannot join this study if your doctor feels you aren’t well enough.
People who have been exposed to asbestos may be invited to take part in this study if they have another condition caused by asbestos. And they don’t have mesothelioma of the chest or fluid on the lung.
Trial design
The researchers need 600 people who have fluid around the lung to join this study.
When you come to hospital to have the fluid around your lung drained, the researchers will take a sample of blood.
If the doctor diagnoses mesothelioma, the researchers will take a further blood sample 3 months after your diagnosis. This will happen when you come to clinic. There will be no additional visits for the study.
The researchers also need 109 people to join the study who have been exposed to asbestos but don’t have fluid around their lung. People who live in the Glasgow area will be contacted by Clydeside Action on Asbestos with an invitation to participate in this part of the study. If they are interested in participating after speaking with the researchers, they will be given an appointment to attend the Glasgow Clinical Research Facility for an interview and blood test.
Hospital visits
There are no extra hospital visits if you take part in this study.
People who have been exposed to asbestos but don’t have mesothelioma will need to make a trip to Glasgow.
Side effects
There may be some minor bruising or bleeding from where the blood samples are taken.
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 Kevin Blyth
Supported by
Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
Clydeside Action on Asbestos (CAA)
Glasgow Clinical Research Facility
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
