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What are clinical trials?
A clinical trial is a research method used to find better ways to diagnose, prevent or treat diseases using new drugs or new devices. Trials are designed to answer specific questions about established therapies and new therapies. Persons enrolled in clinical trials typically are followed more intensively than patients cared for in clinical practice. Usually the first access to promising new therapies is only through participation in a clinical trial.
To help the general public understand clinical trials and the important role they play in advancing medicine, Massey hosted a major educational event on Sept. 16, 2009. Titled “Exploding the Myths of Clinical Trials,” Massey experts separated fact from fiction while explaining the ways in which trials can benefit patients and improve standards of care.
Clinical trials – from multiple perspectives
To promote understanding of clinical trials and the important role they play in advancing medicine, Massey experts and patients went on camera.
A physician-researcher explains clinical trials (12-minute video)
A noted oncologist presents two brief case studies (16-minute video)
A clinical trial participant, in her own words (12-minute video)
Kathy Mayfield’s story on WTVR (2-minute video)
John D. Roberts, M.D., associate director for clinical research at Massey, was recently interviewed by a Comcast reporter. When asked whether clinical trials were a “last resort,” Roberts took the opportunity to paint a much broader picture. He explained that, in many cases, it is appropriate to join a clinical trial when first diagnosed. Watch the interview for a quick overview of clinical trials and their importance in creating new, best standards of care.
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Massey is designated and partially funded by the National Cancer Institute to conduct research that addresses the nation’s cancer problems. Clinical trials are an essential tool in solving these problems, often giving patients the latest discoveries that are not yet available elsewhere.
Trials at Massey
Massey currently offers 100 clinical trials — more than double the number of trials offered by any other cancer center in Virginia. Some of these studies are developed by researchers in our laboratories; others are developed by researchers at other National Cancer Institute-designated centers.
Offering clinical studies is labor-intensive since we must collect and manage a wealth of data and have more frequent contact with these patients. For breast cancer alone, we have 450 patients who are cancer-free whose clinical trials have ended, but we still need to follow up with them at least annually and share their data to continue to monitor for any long-term effects or trends.
To search Massey’s clinical trials database, visit www.massey.vcu.edu/trials.
