Clinical trials are studies that test new cancer treatments. The idea for a particular trial often originates in a laboratory where researchers create a protocol - or action plan - for a trial after their findings show promise of a new drug procedure, therapy or combination of treatments.
There may be benefits as well as drawbacks to participating in a clinical trial. For example, if a new treatment approach is proven to work and you are taking it, you may be among the first to benefit. However, even if a new treatment has benefits, it may not work for you. Even standard treatments, proven effective for many people, don't help everyone.
Clinical trials are essential to making progress in the war against cancer. Results help answer important research questions that directly affect people's lives. If a therapy proves effective in a study, it may become a new standard treatment that can help other cancer patients.
Participation: Each trial enrolls people with similar characteristics, such as age, gender, type and stage of cancer. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial please contact your physician or one of the
clinical trial's physicians to find out more information and the clinical trial(s) he or she is involved in.