Clinical Trials for Cancer

Clinical trials for cancer are research projects which are testing new cancer treatments on patients. There are few cancers with well established cures that are effective for all patients. Because of this and the widespread prevalence of cancer there is a huge amount of basic and clinical cancer research being conducted at all times.

Many of these research projects are testing new treatments for cancer or new protocols for treatment. They can include any combination of treatments, but often test new forms of chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments.

Types of Clinical Trials for Cancer:

Not all clinical trials for cancer are randomized or blinded however. Some simply offer a new or alternative treatment to patients who wish to participate and who qualify for the study.

Some early studies of new treatments are small trials simply aimed at determining the safety and efficacy of the treatment or determining the optimal dosing of a new drug. Later phases of the trial include a larger number of patient and focus on the clinical efficacy of the new drug or treatment (ie. Does it work to treat the cancer? Do patients benefit from it?) as compared with no treatment or older, more established treatments.

Things to keep in mind when considering
participating in clinical trials for cancer:

1. While the treatments used in cancer clinical trials may be viewed as the "cutting edge" of cancer treatment, it should be noted that they are being studied because it is not yet known if they work. Therefore, while clinical trials may present an opportunity to benefit from a new, effective treatment, the real outcome and side affects associated with these trials may not be known. "New" does not necessarily mean "better".
2. Because clinical trials are research, they are often initiated by or with the cooperation of an academic medical center, sometimes working hand in hand with a pharmaceutical company. Therefore, clinical trial opportunities are generally more accessible at academic hospitals and larger medical centers.
3. Not all patients with cancer qualify for a clinical trial. For one, there may not be a trial ongoing related to the specific cancer you are suffering from. Also, clinical trials tend to have very specific rules of inclusion and exclusion. This means that only specific types of patients can be included. If you do not meet all the requirements set forth by a given trial you may not qualify for that trial.

All clinical trials in the United States register with the US National Institutes of Health. This list of ongoing and recent clinical trials is kept current at ClinicalTrials.gov which can be searched by anyone seeking information on clinical trials.