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Services > Clinical Trials
Understanding Clinical Trials
Cancer doctors are always trying to make sure that they have the best and most up to date ways of treating cancer. They are able to get this information by studying patient's response to treatment in clinical trials. Today's standard treatments are the result of clinical trials completed many years ago proving that currents treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are safe long term and kills cancer cells.
The research at CKCI will not only have clinical trials available to enroll patients for novel cancer care but will also adhere to the Office of Human Research Protection Guidelines to make sure patients confidentiality, respect and dignity are upheld according to the federal mandates. The clinical trials will be available from cooperative groups such as Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), National Surgical Adjuvant Bowel Project (NSABP) and so forth. Patients will also have the option of participating in trials from pharmaceutical companies and our affiliate institution, so we can be on the verge of cutting edge research. We would like to capture patient information to evaluate the trends of cancers in the Virgin Islands and whether patientŐs lifestyle and eating habits may play a role.
What are Clinical Trials?
- Clinical trials are research studies involving people.
- They test ways to treat and prevent cancer.
All of today's standard cancer treatments are a result of clinical trials completed many years ago.
Facts about Clinical Trials
- More than 25,000 cancer patients enroll each year in clinical trials through the National Cancer Institute. Many more patients are enrolled in clinical trials sponsored by other groups.
- About 60 percent of the adults enrolled in clinical trials are women.
- Lung, breast, prostate and colon cancers have the highest number of clinical trials dedicated to them - more than 40 percent of the total number of trials.
- Only a small percentage of all cancer patients enroll in clinical trials. Their participation may benefit them as well as future cancer patients.
How Are Clinical Trials Conducted?
Clinical trials testing new treatments are carried out in phases.
Phase I - Is the Treatment Safe?
As the first step in testing the research, doctors gather information about the side effects of the treatment and decide on the safe dose. Only a few patients in a few places take part in a Phase I trial.
Phase II - Does the Treatment Work?
In this step, doctors test the treatment to see how well it works. Most of the time, fewer than 100 patients are involved in Phase II trials.
Phase III - Is the Treatment Better?
Phase III trials compare the new treatment against the current standard therapy and randomly assign patients into one of the two groups. Many people from all over the country take part in these trials.
Phase IV - Are There Better Ways to Use the Treatment?
In this final step, treatments are tested to make sure they are safe and work well over a long period of time. This phase most often occurs once the new treatment has been approved for standard use. Anywhere from several hundred to several thousand people are enrolled in a Phase IV trial.
Where Are Clinical Trials Conducted?
Clinical trials are available through oncologists everywhere - not just in major cities or in large hospitals.
Clinical trials take place in teaching hospitals, outpatient clinics, community hospitals and doctors' offices.
What Are the Types of Clinical Trials?
Prevention
These trials test new approaches that doctors believe may reduce your chance of developing cancer. Most involve healthy people who have not had cancer. Some studies are conducted with people who have had cancer in the past to try to find ways to prevent second cancers.
Screening
Since cancer is often easier to cure when it is found early, screening trials test methods to better detect cancer, especially in the early stages. These studies also help find out whether finding cancer before it causes symptoms will lessen a patient's chances of dying from the disease.
Diagnostic
Diagnostic trials help answer whether or not there are new approaches that could be used to find certain types of cancer and at an earlier stage.
Treatment
The purpose of these trials is to find out if a new treatment or technique is better than the standard treatment. This can include new approaches to radiation therapy, new drugs, vaccines and different combinations of treatment.
Supportive Care/Quality of Life
These studies explore ways to improve the comfort and quality of life of people with cancer or survivors. These trials also study ways to better combat the side effects of some treatments.
Genetics Studies
These are generally done with another clinical trial and focus on how genetic makeup can affect detection, diagnosis or response to cancer treatment.
Who Can Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Each clinical trial calls for certain criteria that a patient must meet to be included in that trial.
Screening
Since cancer is often easier to cure when it is found early, screening trials test methods to better detect cancer, especially in the early stages. These studies also help find out whether finding cancer before it causes symptoms will lessen a patient's chances of dying from the disease.
Diagnostic
Diagnostic trials help answer whether or not there are new approaches that could be used to find certain types of cancer and at an earlier stage.
Treatment
The purpose of these trials is to find out if a new treatment or technique is better than the standard treatment. This can include new approaches to radiation therapy, new drugs, vaccines and different combinations of treatment.
Supportive Care/Quality of Life
These studies explore ways to improve the comfort and quality of life of people with cancer or survivors. These trials also study ways to better combat the side effects of some treatments.
Genetics Studies
These are generally done with another clinical trial and focus on how genetic makeup can affect detection, diagnosis or response to cancer treatment.
Who Can Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Each clinical trial calls for certain criteria that a patient must meet to be included in that trial.
*Your age, gender, medical history, current health, what type and stage of cancer all factor into eligibility.
It's important to remember that clinical trials are completely voluntary. Patients can leave a trial at any time.
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