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Originally published June 2018
Updated December 2022
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that test new medical treatments in people. Cancer clinical trials test new ways to treat, diagnose, or prevent cancer. They are also used to test the effectiveness of new medications and understand potential side effects. Nearly all cancer treatment used today started as a clinical trial.
Clinical trials that focus on treatments are not considered standard treatment. Clinical trials go through phases before becoming a standard treatment:
- In the early phases (phases 1 and 2): Researchers figure out whether a new treatment is safe, what its side effects are, and the best dose of the new treatment or cancer drug.
- In the later phase (phase 3): Researchers keep studying the cancer medication or treatment’s safety. They also look at whether the treatment works better than the current standard therapy. Phase 3 trials include large numbers of people to make sure that the result is valid.
Participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary. Patients can leave the trial at any time.
How do I know if a clinical trial is right for me?
The first step is to talk with your doctor and review your medical record. Your doctor already knows about your treatment, medical history, and preferences. Write down a list of questions you have about clinical trials and bring it with you to your doctor appointment. Your doctor can answer your questions and may even know about clinical trials that may be right for you.
Every treatment option has benefits and risks, including clinical trials. Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits and risks of clinical trials.
Some disease types may not have a clinical trial available. Your medical history may also affect if you are eligible to participate in a clinical trial.
Is there a cost to take part in a clinical trial?
It depends on the trial. Some clinical trial costs may be paid by the study sponsor. Many clinical trials include some standard treatments that you or your insurance need to pay for. Before you join a clinical trial, the study coordinators will discuss potential costs with you.
If you are worried about paying for treatment from a clinical trial, speak with a financial counselor at your hospital.
Where can I look for clinical trials online?
These websites can help you find clinical trials:
- Clinical Trials at Huntsman Cancer Institute
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- National Cancer Institute-Supported Clinical Trials
It is helpful to know your medical history, your cancer type, and the stage of your cancer before starting your search.
Can I take part in a clinical trial at Huntsman Cancer Institute?
Talk with your doctor to see if there are any clinical trials at Huntsman Cancer Institute that would be a good fit for you. At any given time, Huntsman Cancer Institute has more than 200 clinical trials for many types of cancer treatment available. You can search these clinical trials online.