About Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials for cancer are research protocols designed to evaluate the effectiveness of various cancer treatments. They range from studies for prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, to studies that lessen the distress of the disease and improve comfort and quality of life.

There two are basic types of clinical trials available:

1. Treatment trials are studies conducted with cancer patients to evaluate standard of care in comparison to new treatments previously proven to be effective in the laboratory. These trials are directed towards patients with specific types of cancer, stage of disease and health status.
2. Chemoprevention trials are studies that suggest ways to prevent or control cancer. Prevention trials are designed to answer a set of research questions. Persons with certain commonalities like, similar lifestyles, heredity and risk factors can enroll in chemoprevention trials.

Commonly Asked Questions:

Why are clinical trials important?

All clinical trials answer specific questions pertaining to a variety of disease. The answer researchers obtain from these studies result in knowledge about the effectiveness of new treatments and help determine risks and side effects from those treatments. Every cancer patient will receive, at minimum, standard of care therapy that can be compared to new treatment options. The comparative studies determine if one treatment is more effective than the other, either because of shorterm-response, longterm-response, or in fewer side effects.

What types of clinical trials are available?

There are many kinds of clinical trials. They range from studies of ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, control and treat cancer, to studies of the psychological impact of the disease and ways to improve the patient's comfort and quality of life.

Clinical trials are conducted in steps, called phases. Each phase is defined to find out different information:

• Phase I Trials - Determines the maximum tolerated dose and identifies side effects
• Phase II - Determines whether the treatment is effective.
• Phase III - Compares the new treatment with other treatments already in use.
• Phase IV - Ongoing evaluation after the treatment has been approved and is available for public use.
• Adjuvant Trials - Determines if additional therapy will improve the chance for cure in patients at risk for recurrence after surgical removal of all visible disease.

Benefits of Participating in Clinical Trials

• Patients who participate in clinical trials will help determine if the new treatment is more effective than the current treatment that is available.
• If the treatment is effective, it may help treat and control cancer.
• Patients on clinical trials receive the highest quality of medical care.

The physician will monitor them closely during the study and may continue to follow them after the study is over.

Currently only 15% of the American population is aware of clinical trial availability and less than 5% actually participate in clinical trial. Evidence to support new methods of treatment resulting in cures is only supported through clinical trial participation.

People participating in cancer clinical trials contribute to new knowledge that may help others diagnosed with the same type of cancer. Ultimately clinical trials may lead to better care for cancer patients and leave a legacy for generations to come.

To get more information, please contact your health care professional and they should be able to assist you.