What are cancer clinical trials? Why are they important?

Lately, all the advancements that have emerged in cancer treatment were predominantly research-based. These researches have been proven beneficial in introducing highly effective drugs and improved modes of therapy for cancer patients. In this blog, we will have a closer look at clinical trials for cancer and develop a better understanding of their impact and importance.  

What are cancer clinical trials?

Clinical trials for cancer are performed to check the validity and proficiency of different types of medicines and treatments. A cancer clinical trial’s main goal is to invent the best treatment modules to hasten cancer eradication. It is the last step of a thorough and careful research process which takes place in scientific laboratories. First, the scientists look for potential solutions, develop their formulae, and then test them to see how well they work. They improve the quality of a cancer patient’s life and prevent other people from getting the disease.  

Phases of a cancer clinical trial 

Before being tested in a formal setting, a prospective treatment goes through several stages. It is not necessary for every trial to go through each phase as it largely depends on the type of remedy being introduced. Here is a brief overview of the four main phases of clinical research: 

• Phase 0 – checking the new drug 

This is where a new drug and its effects are casually explored. In this phase, a researcher might check if a drug can reach the tumor or how cancer cells react to it. Small doses of the medicine are tested on a few people to see how the human body reacts to it.  

• Phase I – passing or failing a treatment 

In phase I, researchers see if the treatment does what it is supposed to do. They also explore if the treatment is safe for future use. It is at this stage that they determine whether the proposed treatment is worth being transferred to the next phase.  

• Phase II – checking the treatment’s effectiveness 

In the next phase, the effects, side effects and efficiency of the treatment are extensively investigated. For example, a researcher might be interested in checking if the treatment is beneficial for a particular type or stage of cancer.  

• Phase III – checking if the treatment is better than other currently available options 

This stage is interested in seeing if the treatment is more serviceable than the current standard treatment regimes. The treatment is compared with the best available form of treatment and evaluated accordingly.  

• Phase IV – long-term study of the treatment 

Even after the treatment passes through all stages of a trial, there is still a lot to be explored in the long run. Therefore, phase IV trials provide the researchers with an opportunity to watch the new study over the years. 

Types of clinical trials: 

Cancer clinical trials come in different forms, each serving a unique purpose in addressing research questions and providing valuable insights that can potentially benefit future patients. 

Therapeutic trials: 

• Treatment trials 

When it comes to cancer clinical trials, most of them are interested in checking a potential treatment’s credibility in real-life settings. People who have cancer participate in these trials to let the researcher test new treatments on them. These can include drugs, surgery approaches, vaccines, radiation therapies or a combination of new and existing treatments.    

Non-therapeutic trials: 

• Preventive trials 

These trials are more interested in preventing cancer rather than treating it. It involves people who are not cancer patients but at a high risk of getting it. For example, people having family genetics or a history of cancer. In preventive action studies, you can be asked to do something like making a few lifestyle changes. While in preventive agent studies, you are asked to take in something, such as administering a drug or a vitamin.  

• Screening trials 

The purpose of a screening trial is to detect cancer in its initial stages. It explores new and unique screening strategies that might be beneficial in disclosing the disease before it causes any symptoms. These trials are very helpful in letting the doctor start the treatment at the right time, minimizing the risk of death due to cancer. 

• Supportive care trials 

These trials aim to enhance the well-being of people battling cancer, particularly those experiencing adverse effects from the disease and its treatment. These trials may involve testing medications like antidepressants or anti-nausea drugs. They also explore beneficial activities such as participating in support groups, engaging in physical exercise, or seeking counseling. Also, some trials focus on developing strategies to help families and caregivers manage their own requirements alongside those of the cancer patient. 

Importance of cancer clinical trials 

Clinical trials for cancer have a futuristic approach to enable better handling of cancer patients. There are many advantages of being part of a trial at a clinical research institute in Nebraska. 

• It helps cancer patients get access to the most advanced forms of therapies. 
• Before finalizing a treatment module, clinical trials ensure that every aspect of it is well-researched and safe. 
• The subject of a clinical trial is more closely monitored than regular patients. This prevents their condition from going unchecked and helps in timely interventions. 
• Clinical trials are often more cost-effective than the traditional expensive cancer treatments and long procedures. 
• These trials provide cancer patients a chance to benefit society and help other cancer patients.  
• It helps cancer specialists design effective diagnoses and treatments for their patients.

How are the participants of a clinical trial protected? 

All participants have the right to safe clinical trials where they feel respected and protected throughout the process. These are some necessary measures that must be taken while conducting a clinical trial: 

• Conducting pre-clinical research and getting a permit from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
• Ensuring that the study is reviewed by an institutional review board (IRB) and adheres to all regulations pertaining to research involving human subjects.
• Taking informed consent from all participants by briefing them about all the steps and procedures that are to be conducted in the research 
• Protecting people from any potential harm and prioritizing their welfare 
• Making sure that all participants have an equal share of the benefits and burdens of a research 

Conclusion:

Clinical trials of cancer are making the field of medicine forge ahead by aiding researchers, doctors, and patients alike. Thanks to these clinical trials, investigators are introducing ultra-modern cures for cancer patients, doctors are learning to handle disease more efficiently, and patients are getting access to a better-quality life. These trials are saving many lives through their patient-centric and preventive approach.