Hundreds of clinical trials throughout the United States are currently being held to evaluate immunotherapy drugs as new treatments for melanoma, either alone or in combination with other treatments.
Every cancer treatment being used today came from a clinical trial, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, yet people are sometimes hesitant to volunteer because they do not know much about the clinical trial process. Don’t let fear of the unknown keep you from having access to leading-edge treatments. Ask questions of your medical team to help you make an informed decision.
You may consider participating in a clinical trial for the following reasons:
- Your current treatment may not be working as well as expected, and a clinical trial may offer a worthwhile alternative.
- A clinical trial may significantly improve your quality of life. Discuss your personal situation with your medical team, so they are aware of your expectations regarding side effects.
- You may have a rare type of melanoma that hasn’t been studied as much as other types.
- By simply participating, you play an integral role in helping refine and improve the way millions of people with all types and stages of melanoma are treated. Your participation will help researchers not only identify those treatments that are effective but also those that aren’t.
Getting Started
In addition to having a properly functioning immune system, you must meet certain eligibility criteria (cancer type, overall health, treatment history, etc.) to qualify for a clinical trial. Current clinical trials using immunotherapy for melanoma with open recruitment as of September 16, 2016, are displayed in the full PDF version of the Patient Resource Guide. Each trial listed is categorized as “cancer immunotherapy” on www.clinicaltrials.gov.
To learn about a specific trial, enter the trial record number into the search box located at the top of the Web page. The trial record number is a unique identification code assigned to each clinical study. The trial will be “Recruiting” or “Not yet recruiting,” which means the studies are either actively looking for participants or getting ready to look for participants.
If you locate a clinical trial that is not recruiting, don’t be discouraged. New studies are happening all the time, so be sure to keep checking to find available trials.
©Patient Resource