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Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT
06510-3202
Clinical trials
At any one time, there are numerous clinical trials going on at Yale-New Haven Hospital and through Yale Cancer Center and Yale Center for Clinical Investigation that seek to improve the care and outcome for cancer patients worldwide. Some of these trials involve only our patients; other trials include people from across the U.S. or from other countries.
The importance of clinical trials
Clinical trials are important because they help bring about new treatments
and sometimes even a cure. Long before a clinical trial begins, new methods
and treatment undergo extensive research in the laboratory. Only medications
that show promise are brought to clinical trial. A trial tests a new type
of treatment scientists hope will prove better or more effective than
standard treatments currently being used. You should discuss the possibility
of participating in a clinical trial with your physician.
Before a trial can begin, the study must be approved by the Yale-New Haven Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is made up of physicians. IRB approval means the trial has met its standards for safety, scientific progress and purpose.
Understanding what the trial is
Before a patient is enrolled in a trial, he or she must understand all
of its potential risks and benefits. Cancer patient may enroll in trials
investigating new types of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy or
other types of treatment under development. Like any cancer treatment,
treatment given during a clinical trial can have side effects and risks.
Patients are asked to sign informed consent forms before receiving their
first treatment and are monitored carefully during the length of the trial.
Patients may see the doctor more often and have more tests than they would
if they received an already accepted form of treatment.
Trials are often specific to one type of cancer, such as lung cancer or prostate cancer. Information learned can sometimes be applied to other types of cancer, broadening the use of the results.
Phases of clinical trials
Cancer clinical trials are divided into three phases:
- Phase I trials usually involve only a small number of patients, and attempt to determine the best dosage of the drug being used, and if it is safe.
- Phase II trials then investigate whether the drug is beneficial to patients with this specific disease, such as lung cancer or ovarian cancer, or class of disease, such as sarcomas. Generally more patients are enrolled in these trials. Combinations of drugs may also be evaluated in Phase II.
- Phase III. If the therapeutic agents appear promising, Phase III trials then compare the results from the experimental treatment to standard therapies already in use. Researchers may ask whether the new drug is better than the current treatment and how side effects compare.
For more information:
Clinical Trials at Yale Cancer Center
Yale Cancer Center Research Programs
Yale Center for Clinical Investigation
A listing of National Clinical Trials in Cancer of the National Cancer Institute
Next page: Common concerns of cancer patients
Cancer Services home page
Online physician referral service
Last revised: Feb. 20, 2008 (jy)
