Clinical Trials

These are exciting times for cancer treatment. 

As the biotechnology industry is exploding, so are the new approaches to the management of this deadly disease. We are now in an era where we utilize a "personalized" approach to most cancers, taking advantage of each cancer's unique genetic and molecular susceptibilities. 

While we are still using chemotherapy, more and more we are incorporating targeted therapies and immunotherapies. The obvious goal is to improve outcomes with less toxicity. To ensure that new treatments are safe and effective, they must be tested in a “clinical trial” setting. 

For patients that are willing to participate in a clinical trial, this is an opportunity to use newer technology but most importantly to further our understanding of the optimal management of cancer. 

Our team at SLO Oncology & Hematology and the Common Spirit Health Research Institute are part of the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). This is a national network of cancer research programs that bring cancer clinical trials to people in their own communities. This means that often we are able to enroll patients in the same trials that are being offered at the large university teaching hospitals. 

Current trials are available for virtually all cancer subtypes and are most often incorporating non-chemotherapy treatments. Exciting approaches that are being investigated often focus on cancer genetic mutations or protein expression. 

If you or a family member has cancer, ask about clinical trial opportunities.

Links for clinical trials

https://www.catholichealthinitiatives.org/en/patient-care/advancing-care.html

https://www.advarra.com/solutions-for/clinical-trial-sites/clinical-conductor-ctms/#