A cancer patient who has exhausted all other forms of traditional treatment may often look to an experimental cancer treatment as a last resort. Often times, these patients will be offered the opportunity to participate in some type of clinical trial for a new treatment protocol that specifically relates to their specific type of cancer. Oncologists often suggest clinical trials for stage four patients, not necessarily as a way to achieve a cure, but to advance scientific knowledge as it advances in the field of cancer treatment.
Experimental cancer treatments are done for any new cancer drug that is being considered as a possible treatment. Anyone considering participating in any type of drug trial should remember that any cancer drug currently available started out as an experimental drug. Every drug that ever enters the market must undergo a clinical trial as part of its approval by the Federal Drug Administration to determine its effectiveness and whether or not it causes significant side effects.
New drugs are discovered every day in research laboratories across the United States. However, due to rigorous research and development requirements, it takes years before they can finally hit the market. Most of this time is taken up by the trials they undergo, during which they are administered to humans so that doctors can assess their safety and efficacy. In most cases, the patients who participate in a clinical trial are those who have no hope of cure through more traditional treatment. Every drug trial has three phases that must be passed before the FDA can approve the drug.
Trials are currently underway with cancer drugs that were developed using Clostridium novyi, an anaerobic bacterium that is capable of devouring the interior of an oxygen-poor tumor. Another clinical trial on a drug derived from human breast milk is also underway and is being tested in people with certain types of skin cancer and some types of bladder cancer.
Anyone who has cancer and is interested in participating in a clinical trial should discuss it with their oncologist, who will be able to advise them on the pros and cons of such a treatment protocol. He or she may even know about a test being offered locally.
Participating in a clinical trial is not for everyone. Patients may be exposed to medications that have serious side effects that can cause problems for them. These medicines will rarely make your cancer worse, but they may not do anything to help you get better. It really is a matter of choice that should be discussed closely with your oncologist and family members.