“Clinical trial” is a term people often hear in the news or while watching their favorite medical drama, but few likely grasp the gravity of what a clinical trial is unless they participate in one. These research studies engage patients — sometimes those for whom there are no other known treatment options —to increase medical knowledge about the use of a drug and explore the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. They are essential to developing breakthroughs in treating, diagnosing, screening, and preventing cancer.
Should I Join a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a research program where patients who are not responding to traditional cancer
therapies are then able to help test new treatments to learn if they work better than the current
treatments and to help advance new knowledge for future cancer patients. The clinical trial tests the safety and effectiveness of the treatment or drug, as well as find new prevention screenings, diagnostic tests, and ways to support cancer patients.
Fewer than 1 in 20 cancer patients participate in clinicals trials even though clinical trials are crucial to advancing cancer treatment. Studies have determined that the lack of participation may be these two main reasons: misinformation or lack of information about clinical trials (80% of patients simply are unaware of the option) and the lack of access to trials.
Here are some reasons why cancer patients should participate in clinical trials.
• Free for Patients – Because most clinical trials are funded by the government or a private
company, the cost of the study drug and any procedures or screenings done strictly for research
are covered by the study.
• Available Any Time – Patients can participate in a clinical trial as their first line of treatment or
as a last option, and they can leave the clinical trial at any time.
• Latest Treatments – Clinical trials offer patients new and emerging treatment for a disease
before it is available to everyone.
• Significant Testing – The purpose of a clinical trial is to determine if the drug being tested is
superior or improves the standard treatment. Before it reaches the phase where patients are
enrolled in a trial, the therapy goes through rigorous ethical and scientific evaluation.
• Location Independent – Patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Williamsport are able to
enroll in a clinical trial because of the vast UPMC Hillman network of centers. Many patients are
often able to receive treatment close to their home at a local facility.
• Contribute to Medical Science – Clinical trial participants support scientific advancement.
Because treatment development relies on the data from clinical trials, participating in them is
extremely valuable for scientific progress and for future generations.
A Phased Approach
Clinical trials are classified as Phase I, II, III or IV depending on their purpose. Each phase of a trial has a different purpose, and each phase also helps researchers answer different questions.
Phase I – Phase I clinical trials are limited to a small number of patients—typically 15 to 50 – and are conducted at large academic medical centers. These trials try to determine the best dose of
a new drug without serious side effects.
Phase II – This phase is done in larger groups among patients with a specific type of cancer when combination drugs are tested.
Phase III – During this phase, the new treatment is compared to existing treatments, or the
standard-of-care in 100 or more patients who are enrolled. A computer program will randomly
assign patients to the new treatment or the current treatment method. If the new treatment is
successful, typically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve it for standard
treatment going forward.
Phase IV – This phase tests new drugs which are approved by the FDA in several hundreds or
thousands of patients to determine if there may be other medical uses or benefits of the same
treatment. The new treatment may help fight other types of cancer or even another disease.
A clinical trial is a research program where patients who are not responding to traditional cancer
therapies are then able to help test new treatments to learn if they work better than the current
treatments and to help advance new knowledge for future cancer patients. The clinical trial tests the safety and effectiveness of the treatment or drug, as well as find new prevention screenings, diagnostic tests, and ways to support cancer patients.
Fewer than 1 in 20 cancer patients participate in clinicals trials even though clinical trials are crucial to advancing cancer treatment. Studies have determined that the lack of participation may be these two main reasons: misinformation or lack of information about clinical trials (80% of patients simply are unaware of the option) and the lack of access to trials.
Here are some reasons why cancer patients should participate in clinical trials.
• Free for Patients – Because most clinical trials are funded by the government or a private
company, the cost of the study drug and any procedures or screenings done strictly for research
are covered by the study.
• Available Any Time – Patients can participate in a clinical trial as their first line of treatment or
as a last option, and they can leave the clinical trial at any time.
• Latest Treatments – Clinical trials offer patients new and emerging treatment for a disease
before it is available to everyone.
• Significant Testing – The purpose of a clinical trial is to determine if the drug being tested is
superior or improves the standard treatment. Before it reaches the phase where patients are
enrolled in a trial, the therapy goes through rigorous ethical and scientific evaluation.
• Location Independent – Patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Williamsport are able to
enroll in a clinical trial because of the vast UPMC Hillman network of centers. Many patients are
often able to receive treatment close to their home at a local facility.
• Contribute to Medical Science – Clinical trial participants support scientific advancement.
Because treatment development relies on the data from clinical trials, participating in them is
extremely valuable for scientific progress and for future generations.
A Phased Approach
Clinical trials are classified as Phase I, II, III or IV depending on their purpose. Each phase of a trial has a different purpose, and each phase also helps researchers answer different questions.
Phase I – Phase I clinical trials are limited to a small number of patients—typically 15 to 50 – and are conducted at large academic medical centers. These trials try to determine the best dose of
a new drug without serious side effects.
Phase II – This phase is done in larger groups among patients with a specific type of cancer when combination drugs are tested.
Phase III – During this phase, the new treatment is compared to existing treatments, or the
standard-of-care in 100 or more patients who are enrolled. A computer program will randomly
assign patients to the new treatment or the current treatment method. If the new treatment is
successful, typically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve it for standard
treatment going forward.
Phase IV – This phase tests new drugs which are approved by the FDA in several hundreds or
thousands of patients to determine if there may be other medical uses or benefits of the same
treatment. The new treatment may help fight other types of cancer or even another disease.
Clinical Trials Close to Home
No one fights cancer alone and individuals with cancer benefit when they choose a health care
institution like UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. UPMC has access to a broad spectrum of medical,
radiation, and immunotherapy clinical trials with the specific aim of improving cancer treatment and prevention. Without traveling far from home, patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Williamsport may choose to receive emerging innovative treatments offered through clinical trials.
No one fights cancer alone and individuals with cancer benefit when they choose a health care
institution like UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. UPMC has access to a broad spectrum of medical,
radiation, and immunotherapy clinical trials with the specific aim of improving cancer treatment and prevention. Without traveling far from home, patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Williamsport may choose to receive emerging innovative treatments offered through clinical trials.
UPMC offers access to more than 500 clinical trials and can begin most phase II or phase III trials if a patient meets the criteria. Mostof these clinical trials are related to treatment for breast and lung cancer, though there are clinical trials available for almost all disease sites.
Participation in a specific trial depends on diagnosis, cancer stage, and patient demographics. Learn more about clinical trials at UPMC in North Central Pa. by visiting UPMC.com/CancerNCPA.
Dr. Abdalla Sholi is the medical director of Medical Oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Coudersport, Williamsport, and Wellsboro. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is one of the largest integrated cancer networks in the U.S.
Participation in a specific trial depends on diagnosis, cancer stage, and patient demographics. Learn more about clinical trials at UPMC in North Central Pa. by visiting UPMC.com/CancerNCPA.
Dr. Abdalla Sholi is the medical director of Medical Oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Coudersport, Williamsport, and Wellsboro. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is one of the largest integrated cancer networks in the U.S.
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