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Lung CancerIMPULSIONNCT07513818

Implementing Low-dose ct Lung Cancer Screening in France.

A study testing Low-dose computed tomography of the chest in people with Lung Cancer, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 2 sites in France.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The main objective is to estimate the detection rate of lung cancer in the population screened by low-dose chest CT scans. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 50 to 74 years
Conditions the study is for
Lung Cancer
What is being tested?
Low-dose computed tomography of the chest
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
How many people
20,000 participants
Where
2 sitesFrance
Study dates
11 May 2026to Nov 2031
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 50 to 74 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adults aged 50-74 years
  • Active or former smoker having quit less than 15 years ago
  • Smoking history of at least 20 pack-years, or 15 cigarettes/day for 25 years or 10 cigarettes/day for 30 years
  • Affiliation with a social security scheme
  • Written informed consent prior to study participation
  • Temporary exclusion Criteria
  • Chest CT scan performed within the previous 12 months
  • Signs of respiratory infection (fever, productive cough)

Who cannot join

  • Severe co-morbidities contraindicating exploration and/or management (including stereotactic surgery or radiotherapy) of lung cancers
  • Poor general status (PS2 and above)
  • Rest dyspnea (mMRC4)
  • Cancer under active surveillance by thoracic computed tomography (CT pr PET-CT)
  • Personal history of lung cancer
  • Symptoms raising suspicion of lung cancer (hemoptysis, unexplained weight loss, recent onset or modification of respiratory symptoms,…)

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

France2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • HCL - Hôpital Lyon Sud

    Lyon, France, 69495

    Sébastien COURAUD, MD, PHD, 04 78 86 44 14 ext. +33, sebastien.couraud@chu-lyon.fr

    Not yet recruiting
  • Hôpital Cochin

    Paris, Île-de-France Region, 75014

    Marie-Pierre REVEL, MD, PhD, 01 58 41 24 71 ext. +33, marie-pierre.revel@aphp.fr

    Recruiting

Other trials in France

About this study

The main objective is to estimate the detection rate of lung cancer in the population screened by low-dose chest CT scans.

Read the detailed description

Low-dose CT screening (LDCT) allows for the detection of lung cancer at an early stage, enabling curative treatment. Large randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that LDCT reduces mortality in smokers.

The objective of the current research is not to confirm a reduction in mortality, but to show that screening can be safely implemented at a population level. Different modes of recruitment and invitation will be tested to ensure that LDCT can be implemented equitably. The role of artificial intelligence as an alternative to double human reading will also be assessed.

Screening strategy includes baseline, followed by 1-year LDCT, and a third LDCT 2 years later. Current smokers will be offered smoking cessation support.

The management of screen-detected lung nodules will follow the 2025 guidelines from the European Society of Thoracic imaging.

Conditions
Lung Cancer
Being tested
Low-dose computed tomography of the chest
Keywords
Screening, Lung cancer, Computed Tomography, X-Ray, Smoking cessation
Medical subject headings
Lung Neoplasms, Smoking Cessation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Low-dose computed tomography of the chestProcedure or surgery

    Baseline low-dose CT acquisition, then at 1 year and 3 years to depict suspicious lung nodules

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Lung cancer detection rate in the population screened using low-dose chest CT

    Number of individuals with detected cancer divided by the number of individuals included in the study, i.e., an intention-to-screen analysis.

    Measured: 42 months

Secondary outcomes (23)
  1. Evaluation of screening performance

    • True positives: positive screening result and confirmation of malignancy.
    • True negatives: negative screening result (absence of nodules, or nodules not meeting the criteria for a positive or indeterminate screening, see algorithms), including during retrospective review in cases where cancer is diagnosed within the following year.
    • False positives: positive screening result but malignancy not confirmed after appropriate investigation(s).
    • False negatives: CT screening considered negative, but cancer is diagnosed within the coming year and the CT scan is retrospectively interpreted as positive or indeterminate.

    Measured: 42 months

  2. Exploration and comparison of several methods for identifying and inviting the target population

    The identification and invitation of participants will be carried out using a multimodal approach: local and national press campaigns, outreach to insured individuals aged 50 to 74 in certain regions, and through an ambassador network (healthcare professionals, institutional representatives, associations, and citizens aware of lung cancer screening).

    Screening support tools will be deployed, including:

    • A website with a calculator to help determine eligibility;
    • A telephone call center to assess eligibility.

    Inclusions :

    Inclusions will be carried out by the participant's primary care physician if they are an investigator, or by other volunteer general practitioners, in health centers; by secondary care providers; or via outreach programs.

    The inclusion visits or teleconsultations will allow verifying the eligibility criteria and obtaining electronic consent.

    Measured: 18 months

  3. Measurement of participation rate

    The participation rate is defined as the number of individuals having performed at least one CT scan, divided by the number of eligible individuals.

    Measured: 18 months

  4. Measurement of response rates to follow-up invitations

    The investigators will measure the participation rate to follow-up invitations following an indeterminate CT scan result

    Measured: 42 months

  5. Measurement of adherence to screening rounds

    The investigators will measure the participation rate to screening at 1 year and 3 year

    Measured: 18 months , 30 months & 54 months

  6. Measurement of the complication rate of invasive investigations in positive cases (true positives and false positives)

    For participants with a positive screening result, the procedures, results, and complications of diagnostic actions (PET, endoscopy, CT-guided or ultrasound-guided biopsy, surgery) will be collected from the participants' medical records .

    The rate of early-stage lung cancers among the lung cancers diagnosed following a CT screening will also be measured (Evaluation criterion: number of lung cancers diagnosed at stage I or II divided by the total number of diagnosed lung cancers).

    Measured: 42 months

  7. Measurement of the adherence rate to the offered smoking cessation support

    The investigators will record the proportion of active smokers who either decline the systematically offered smoking-cessation assistance or fail to attend the scheduled appointment, as well as the factors underlying this refusal. The investigators will also assess smoking cessation rates during follow-up and identify their predictors.

    Measured: 48 months

  8. Measurement of the adherence rate to smoking cessation support

    The investigators will record the proportion of active smokers who declined smoking-cessation support or did not attend the scheduled appointments

    Measured: 48 months

  9. Identification of reasons for refusal of smoking cessation support.

    Investigators will collect the reasons selected by participants for refusing smoking cessation support from a pre-established list (e.g., concern about weight gain, fear of failure).

    Measured: 48 months

  10. Measurement of smoking cessation rate

    The investigators will assess smoking cessation rates during follow-up and identify their predictors.

    Measured: 48 months

  11. Identification of the predictors of smoking cessation rates.

    The investigators will identify the predictor of smoking cessation rates (correlation with age, gender, level of education, occupation, etc…)

    Measured: 48 months

  12. Evaluation of the feasibility and relevance of a double reading of CT scans, and role of artificial intelligence

    • Agreement in classifying cases as "screen-negative" versus "positive or indeterminate" between a single AI-assisted reading and a double AI-assisted reading (with a third adjudication in case of disagreement, serving as the reference), measured using the kappa coefficient.
    • Agreement in classifying cases as "screen-negative" versus "positive or indeterminate" between AI alone and the reference, measured using the kappa coefficient.

    Measured: 12 months

  13. Measurement of the detection rate of coronary artery calcifications, pulmonary emphysema, osteoporosis, and incidental findings

    For each of these anomalies, the detection rate will be calculated as the number of participants with the anomaly divided by the number of participants who underwent at least one CT scan. The presence and severity of emphysema (Fleischner classification), the Shemesh score, attenuation at the T8 level, and the diameter of the ascending aorta if >4 cm will be systematically recorded in the structured CT screening report. Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA, including Langerhans cell histiocytosis), osteoporotic compression fractures, and all anomalies requiring clinical care will also be systematically documented.

    Measured: 24 months

  14. Impact of the program on healthcare pathways

    The impacts on care pathways can be measured by evaluating the following time intervals,

    -Time between registration on the platform and completion of the inclusion visit,

    • Time between inclusion and completion of the initial CT scan,
    • Time until availability of radiology reports (single and double reading),
    • Time to first contact with a tobacco cessation specialist

    AND Using the date of the CT scan as the reference date:

    • Time to presentation of positive cases at the MDTB,
    • Time to a positive diagnosis (pathological report or MDTB report )
    • Time to first treatment for positive cases requiring it,
    • Time to the first thoracic surgery consultation,
    • Time to surgery
    • Time to other consultations depending on incidental findings

    Measured: 42 months

  15. Comparison of healthcare pathways

    Healthcare utilization will be compared between screening-adherent and non-adherent patients, using two different denominators: the target population and the invited population after linkage with the SNDS (French National Health Data System).

    Measured: 42 months

  16. Creation of a CT scan dataset

    As part of the IMPULSION study, an imaging dataset for research and teaching purposes will be created, including all CT scans performed during the study (baseline, follow-up, and subsequent screening rounds), unless the participant explicitly objects.

    Measured: 42 months

  17. Definition of a lung cancer risk score

    Using the variables collected in the IMPULSION study, a predictive lung cancer risk score will be developed for the eligible population, specifically tailored to the French population.

    Measured: 42 months

  18. Cost effectiveness analysis

    The costs associated with screening (including surgical treatment of early-stage cancers and hospitalization for invasive procedures) will be compared with the costs that would have been incurred if the screen-detected lung cancers had all been diagnosed at an advanced stage.

    Measured: 42 months

  19. Panel characteristics of participants

    The objective of this sub-study is to conduct a qualitative analysis of the characteristics of participants in lung cancer screening and the program.

    Measured: 48 months

  20. Panel - participant perceptions

    Qualitative assessment of participant perceptions regarding lung cancer screening in a random sample of 2,000 participants enrolled in the main study.

    Measured: 48 months

  21. Ultra low-dose

    The objective is to assess whether this dose level, using modern techniques, provides information equivalent to that obtained with the dose used in the main protocol.

    A second ultra-low-dose acquisition (CTDI 0.15 mGy for weight < 80 kg, CTDI 0.20 mGy for weight ≥ 80 kg) immediatly after the IMPULSION CT scan.

    The ultra-low-dose CT scan will be read exclusively in a centralized manner by a certified radiologist assisted by AI software, using the same criteria as those applied to the low-dose reference acquisition, and blinded to the low-dose CT data.

    An assessment of concordance will be performed in 2,500 participants.

    Measured: 1 day (baseline scanner)

  22. Biobank

    Collection of a maximum of 28 mL of whole blood (i.e., approximately 7 tubes of 5 mL with 4 mL collected per tube) for storage for research purposes.

    The collected samples are intended to create a biobank linked to clinical and radiological data. This biobank will make it possible to test various biomarkers for predicting individual cancer risk, the risk that a nodule is cancerous, or the risk of developing a disease evaluated in this cohort (including COPD, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, or interstitial lung disease).

    Measured: Inclusion (day 1)

  23. Spirometry

    The purpose of this examination is to assess lung volumes at inclusion visit.

    In participating an optional, spirometry will be performed at inclusion. The following mesaures will be recorded : FEV1 and FVC.

    Interpretation will be based on GOLD recommendations and using the GLI system for reference values.

    The following definitions will be used:

    • Pre-COPD: FEV₁ < 80% and FEV₁/FVC ≥ 0.7
    • Obstructive ventilatory defect (OVD): FEV₁/FVC < 0.7 on spirometry
    • GOLD stages 1 to 4 according to the FEV₁ value. Participant questionnaire will also includes questions about chronic COPD symptoms in order to assess the presence of a COPD.

    Measured: Inclusion (day 1)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Apr 2026
  2. Study start11 May 2026
  3. Primary completionMay 2031 (estimated)
  4. Study completionNov 2031 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Screening
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
20,000 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07513818
Sponsor's protocol ID
APHP250243
Other IDs
ID-RCB Number
Acronym
IMPULSION
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
3 Feb 2026
Last updated
5 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Low-dose computed tomography of the chest in people with Lung Cancer, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 2 sites in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Marie-Pierre REVEL, PhD (01 58 41 24 71 ext. +33, marie-pierre.revel@aphp.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Lung cancer detection rate in the population screened using low-dose chest CT (time frame: 42 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Jun 2026.

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