Cancer clinical trials are research efforts involving human beings. Clinical trials assist doctors in developing fresh methods to treating patients and improving their quality of life.
Creating cancer clinical trials for novel ways to:
- cancer discovery, cure, and diagnosis
- prevent cancer, regulate cancer symptoms, and manage side effects following treatment
Clinical trials are the end of a lengthy process that begins with laboratory research. Before deploying a novel medication on people in clinical trials, researchers spend many years investigating its effects on cancer cells in the lab and on animals. They also look into any unfavorable outcomes.
If you or a loved one needs cancer treatment, consider clinical trials as a therapeutic option. Trials are available for all stages of cancer. They are not only for those with advanced cancer who aren’t responding to treatment, as is often assumed. Inquire with your doctor about any clinical trial alternatives that may be available to you. You may also look for studies on your own by going to Find NCI-Supported Clinical Studies.
The principal investigator, who is in charge of each research, is often a medical expert. The lead investigator develops the study protocol. The protocol describes what will be done during the research. It also contains information that will assist your doctor in assessing if this course of treatment is right for you. The protocol includes information on:
- the rationale for the experiment who is eligible to participate in the research (“eligibility criteria”)
- What drugs or other treatments will be provided, how will they be delivered, how much of each will be administered, what medical tests will be conducted, and how often will information on trial participants be collected?
Why Are Clinical Trials Important?
People are increasingly living longer lives as a result of cancer treatments that have previously shown beneficial in clinical trials. Clinical trials are how doctors determine if new treatments are safe, effective, and outperform old ones. Clinical trials contribute to the development of new cancer diagnosis and preventive measures. Furthermore, they help us improve patients’ quality of life both during and after treatment. Participating in a clinical research enhances our knowledge of cancer and allows future patients to get more effective cancer therapy. Clinical trials are critical in the development of novel cancer therapies.
