Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy VERification

The goal of this multi-center randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the added value of needle based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE)-imaging to regular diagnostic bronchoscopic peripheral lung lesion analysis on the diagnostic yield in patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules suspect for malignancy. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: To determine if the addition of nCLE-imaging to conventional diagnostic bronchoscopic peripheral lung lesion analysis results in an improved diagnostic yield (defined as the proportion of patients in whom the bronchoscopic procedure results in a definitive diagnosis out of the total number of patients that have received the diagnostic bronchoscopic procedure). Participants will undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy either with or without the addition of nCLE imaging before each TBNA. Based on the feedback of the CLE images on (in)correct placement of the needle, the needle might be repositioned before sampling. Comparison between the diagnostic yield of these groups will be done including subgroup analysis.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥18 years of age
2. Suspected malignant peripheral lung lesion with an indication for a bronchoscopic diagnostic work-up as determined by the attending physician or tumor board. Peripheral pulmonary lesions are defined as lesions located beyond the visible segmental bronchi, not detectable by regular flexible bronchoscopy
3. Bronchus sign on pre-procedural CT or estimated confidence for successful navigation to the nodule resulting in a r-EBUS signal
4. Solid part of the lesion must be ≧10 mm
5. Largest dimension of lesion size on CT ≦30 mm (long-axis)
6. Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability or non-willingness to provide informed consent
2. Endobronchial visible malignancy on bronchoscopic inspection
3. Target lesion within reach of the linear EBUS scope
4. Failure to comply with the study protocol
5. Known allergy or risk factors for an allergic reaction to fluorescein
6. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
7. Hemodynamic instability
8. Refractory hypoxemia
9. Therapeutic anticoagulant use that cannot be withheld for an appropriate interval before the procedure
10. Unable to tolerate general anesthesia according to the anesthesiologist
11. Undergoing chemotherapy as several chemotherapies have fluorescent properties at the same wavelength (e.g., doxorubicin)

• BACKGROUNDWijmans L, Yared J, de Bruin DM, Meijer SL, Baas P, Bonta PI, Annema JT. Needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy for real-time diagnosing and staging of lung cancer. Eur Respir J. 2019 Jun 20;53(6):1801520. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01520-2018. Print 2019 Jun. PMID 31023849
• BACKGROUNDKramer T, Wijmans L, van Heumen S, Bansal S, Jeannerat D, Manley C, de Bruin M, Bonta PI, Annema JT. Needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy for real-time granuloma detection. Respirology. 2023 Oct;28(10):934-941. doi: 10.1111/resp.14542. Epub 2023 Aug 10. PMID 37562791
• BACKGROUNDManley CJ, Kramer T, Kumar R, Gong Y, Ehya H, Ross E, Bonta PI, Annema JT. Robotic bronchoscopic needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy to diagnose peripheral lung nodules. Respirology. 2023 May;28(5):475-483. doi: 10.1111/resp.14438. Epub 2022 Dec 19. PMID 36535801
• BACKGROUNDKramer T, Wijmans L, de Bruin M, van Leeuwen T, Radonic T, Bonta P, Annema JT. Bronchoscopic needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) as a real-time detection tool for peripheral lung cancer. Thorax. 2022 Apr;77(4):370-377. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-216885. Epub 2021 Jun 25. PMID 34172559
• BACKGROUNDVachani A, Maldonado F, Laxmanan B, Kalsekar I, Murgu S. The Impact of Alternative Approaches to Diagnostic Yield Calculation in Studies of Bronchoscopy. Chest. 2022 May;161(5):1426-1428. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.08.074. Epub 2021 Sep 7. No abstract available. PMID 34506792
• DERIVEDvan Heumen S, Kramer T, Korevaar DA, Gompelmann D, Bal C, Hetzel J, Jahn K, Poletti V, Ravaglia C, Sadoughi A, Stratakos G, Bakiri K, Koukaki E, Anagnostopoulos N, Votruba J, Sestakova Z, Heuvelmans MA, Daniels JMA, de Bruin DM, Bonta PI, Annema JT. Bronchoscopy with and without needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy for peripheral lung nodule diagnosis: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (CLEVER trial). BMJ Open. 2024 Jul 4;14(7):e081148. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081148.