SPARC: Screening for Lung Cancer with Platelets

This study, called SPARC, is looking at a new way to screen for lung cancer. Researchers want to see if combining a special analysis with changes in RNA (genetic material) from your platelets (tiny blood cells) can accurately find lung cancer. They've already developed an approach using past data from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, the most common type of lung cancer). This study will now test this approach in new patients with recently diagnosed lung cancer or a lung nodule (a small growth in the lung). The goal is to see how well this test can identify lung cancer and tell the difference between harmless and cancerous lung nodules. We don't have information on the current recruitment status for this study.

Study design: This is an observational study planning to enroll 240 participants. It will collect information without giving any specific treatment.
What's involved: If you join, you would have up to 20mL of whole blood drawn from your arm by a phlebotomist.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: The main results, like how accurate the test is, will be measured up to one day after you join the study.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

SPARC - Screening for Lung Cancer With Platelets Via an AI-enabled RNA-based Classifier

Not Yet Recruiting

Not specifiedAges 21+Observational

University of Utah

~240 participants

Updated 2026-05-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Platelet RNA-based assay

At a glance

Recruiting sites

0 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Sensitivity

Measured over up to one day after study enrollment

+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Lung Cancer

Lung Nodule

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states

Utah2

Study leadership

Shiven Patel, MD/MBA · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Utah

Who to contact

Matthew Rondina, MD, MS

[email protected]

801-587-8308

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Aged 21 years or older

Meeting at least one of the following two criteria:

Diagnosed with any stage or type of lung cancer

Having at least one lung nodule identified on imaging (e.g., low dose computed tomography \[LDCT\] or other diagnostic chest imaging) that was completed within 180 days prior to enrollment, and where there is planned or recommended biopsy, surgical resection, radiation therapy, systemic therapy, or other invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedure to further evaluate the nodule(s) in the next six months based on the clinical judgment of the patient's provider(s)

Aged 21 years or older

Exclusion

Other diagnosis of, or treatment for, any cancer within the last 6 months except for non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or low-grade prostate cancer (defined as Gleason score ≤ 6) treated locally

A history of lung cancer or metastatic cancer to the lungs from an extrathoracic primary site with definitive treatment (surgical, medical, or radiotherapy) within the past 2 years

Currently receiving any systemic therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapy) or radiation therapy for lung cancer

Already undergone surgical resection of the lung cancer in part or in whole

Have undergone invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures (e.g., biopsy, surgery) related to the lung nodule within the past 3 months

Unable to provide blood sample

Any active malignancy or diagnosis of cancer within the last 6 months except for non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or low-grade prostate cancer (defined as Gleason score ≤ 6) treated locally

Treatment for any cancer within the last 6 months except for non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or low-grade prostate cancer (defined as Gleason score ≤ 6) treated locally

Hospitalization or surgery (other than minor surgery such as mole removal) within the last 8 weeks

Renal failure (defined as eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73m² or on dialysis)

Liver failure (defined as having hepatic encephalopathy of any degree, OR moderately severe coagulopathy defined as INR ≥ 1.5, OR known cirrhosis, OR ALT of ≥ 10X ULN, OR total bilirubin of ≥ 3.0 mg/dL, OR diagnosis of liver failure)

Decompensated or end-stage heart failure (defined as ACC/AHA Stage C or Stage D heart failure)

Venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, or stroke within the last 8 weeks

Currently pregnant or have been pregnant within the last 12 weeks

Any blood product transfusion within the last 8 weeks

Personal history of lung cancer at any time

Unable to provide blood sample

What this trial measures

Sensitivityup to one day after study enrollment
Sensitivity of the assay in detecting lung cancer
Specificityup to one day after study enrollment
Specificity of the assay in detecting lung cancer.
Positive predictive value (PPV)up to one day after study enrollment
Positive predictive value (PPV) in distinguishing benign vs. malignant lung nodules.
Negative Predictive Value (NPV)up to one day after study enrollment
Negative predictive value (NPV) in distinguishing benign vs. malignant lung nodules.

Trialytics