When facing a cancer diagnosis, many people hear about clinical trials but aren’t exactly sure what they involve. Are they safe? Will you still receive effective treatment? Who’s a candidate?
Oncology researchers at Atrium Health Levine Cancer share what they want everyone to know about the power of clinical trials—and why participating can make a real difference, both for current and future volunteers.
1. Clinical trials are responsible for nearly every major breakthrough in oncology
Every major advancement in cancer care—from immunotherapy to targeted therapies—exists today because of clinical trial research. Clinical trials are carefully designed studies that test new ways to prevent, detect, treat or manage cancer. Clinical trials aren’t a last resort; they play a vital role in shaping the future of cancer care and give participants access to highly personalized, expert treatment.
“Successfully completed cancer clinical trials are responsible for virtually all of the treatment and supportive care advances we have made over the past five decades,” says Dr. Glenn Lesser, deputy director, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. “They have provided the evidence and support for us to incrementally improve the effectiveness of our treatment approaches and improve the survival outcomes for patients affected by cancer today.”
There are several different types of cancer clinical trials, including:
- Prevention trials that research strategies for preventing cancer, such as lifestyle changes or vaccines.
- Screening trials that look for ways to improve early detection methods.
- Treatment trials to study new drugs, surgical techniques, radiation approaches or therapy combinations. Treatment trials can also study new methods of using existing cancer treatments.
- Quality-of-life trials (also called palliative care and supportive care clinical trials) that focus on improving patient comfort and managing side effects.
Clinical trials aren’t just for people with advanced forms of cancer: there are research trials for people diagnosed with all stages of cancer.
Each trial has its own set of eligibility criteria, such as:
- Age
- Overall health
- Medical history
- Risk factors
- Treatment history
- Tumor genetic mutations
- Family medical history
Your doctor can help determine if you’re eligible to volunteer for a specific clinical trial.
2. Clinical trials are designed with safety and effectiveness in mind
Clinical trial treatments undergo rigorous lab testing before they are offered to volunteers. They’re designed with safety in mind and patients are closely monitored throughout the entire process.
“Clinical trial protocols are developed by experts and vetted by institutional review boards to ensure patient safety,” says Jai Patel, PharmD, associate vice president of translational research at Atrium Health Levine Cancer and associate director of shared resource management at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The reason why a treatment, test or intervention is being evaluated is because there is strong evidence that it works better than the standard of care. This gives you, the patient, the chance to receive a novel intervention that could have better results than the standard treatment. It also helps to answer critical questions that could benefit future patients.”
One common misconception is that all participants receive placebos or “sugar pills” instead of treatment. In cancer clinical trials, placebos are used in limited settings such as when testing combinations of treatments or when no approved treatment exists. In this case, even when patients are randomized to “placebo”, they receive increased monitoring, labs, and visits to track their disease course.
Participation in clinical trials is entirely voluntary, and volunteers may withdraw from the trial at any time.
3. Clinical trials offer access to the latest advancements in cancer care
Participating in a clinical trial can give you access to new treatments before they are widely available.
“Clinical trials give patients access to the latest treatments, diagnostic techniques, screenings and approaches to cancer prevention,” says Dr. Bayard Powell, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center and long-time section chief of hematology and oncology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “Participation in clinical trials can also have benefits for other areas of your health. This is especially true for prevention and screening trials.”
4. Volunteers receive support throughout the entire clinical trial process
Because clinical trials are led by top healthcare facilities and researchers, you’ll have access to highly specialized, expert care throughout your treatment. Many trials offer additional resources like patient navigators, social workers and support staff to guide you through each step of your treatment and recovery.
“Volunteers in clinical trials are closely monitored by a specialized medical team,” says Dr. Jimmy Ruiz, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. “This often means more frequent check-ins, lab work and imaging, leading to highly attentive, individualized care.”
5. Clinical trials give hope to others
When you participate in a clinical trial, you’re also giving hope to others in the future.
“Volunteering for a cancer clinical trial not only means giving you the chance at benefiting from a new treatment or intervention but also gives hope to others by advancing cancer research,” says Patel.
Participating in cancer research can also be incredibly empowering.
“The knowledge you gain can be shared with family and friends and therefore have a positive impact on their lives,” says Powell.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering for a cancer clinical trial, talk to your doctor or visit BeInvolved.AtriumHealth.org to learn more about the clinical trials available at Atrium Health.
