Resources »

| Cancer Centers

| Support Sites

| The Melanoma Book

| Community Awareness

| Educational Programs

| Clinical Trials

| Helpful Websites

| MIF's Seal of Approval

| Email Sign Up

| Contact

| Login

| Create Account

Translate this page

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

Clinical Trials

CLINICAL TRIALS

The promise for melanoma treatment lies in clinical trials where new agents are tried out in scientific fashion. There are usually three phases to the trials:

Phase 1
Tests for toxicity & uses increasing doses to find the best dose

Phase 2
Has passed the toxicity and is being tested for effectiveness

Phase 3
Compares the new agent against standard treatment

You can call our hotline for a personalized matching service.

Here are some valuable questions to ask before enrolling in a trial:

1. What is the purpose of this study? Who is sponsoring it? How is it reviewed for safety?

2. What kinds of tests and treatments must I go through?

3. What are the potential side-effects? Get specific details about how the drug is administered and what any relevant studies to date have shown about side-effects.

4. Will some participants receive a placebo and others get the real thing? Many studies are set up to determine how patients who receive the treatment do by comparison with those who receive nothing. Also, many trials are "double-blind": neither the doctor nor the patient knows what the patient is getting.

5. Will my insurance pay for this, or the pharmaceutical company? How about housing or travel costs are they reimbursed?

6. What happens once the trial is over? Will there be follow up? Will I be told the results of the study?

Please be aware that you can leave the trial at any time. Also, if it is clear that you are getting worse, the trial will end for you.

Here are some links to search for trials.

Cancer Trials Support Unit
The Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) is an NCI funded program to facilitate participation (by both patients and physicians) in phase III NCI sponsored Cancer treatment trials.

Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups
Go to this site to find out about cancer trials that may help you fight melanoma.

Eastern Oncology Cooperative Group
A definitive source of current oncology research trials.

Oncolink
This site contains information from the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute. It has a melanoma page and lists current medical trials.

www.clinicaltrials.gov
National Institutes of Health search site for clinical trials, and one of the best search engines for finding a clinical trial nationally or internationally

Source: Melanoma Prevention, Detection and Treatment, Yale University Press, 2nd edition, 2005
Modified 02/10

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

The MIF Website is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this Website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.