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MESOTHELIOMA CLINICAL TRIALS

Clinical TrialsStudies of the safety and effectiveness of new drugs on patients are called clinical trials. Several trials are currently being conducted in an attempt to find better ways to treat mesothelioma. Of course, the potential benefits must be weighed against any potential risks before volunteering to participate in a clinical trial. As a participant, you may be receiving a new drug before it is widely available, but the new drug may ultimately be proven not as effective as the standard drugs otherwise being used. Also, any side effects of the new drug may not be fully known yet. Naturally, you should talk to your doctor in detail about what is right for you.

Clinical trials are conducted in three phases in order for the treatment being studied to be eligible for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Phase I The first phase generally focuses on testing how a new drug or procedure should be administered, how much can be safely taken and determining any unknown side effects. Usually, only a small number of people are enrolled in the study.

Phase II The second phase attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment, usually through careful measurement of cancer sites present at the beginning and end of the trial. Side effects and safety are also still monitored closely.

Phase III The final trial phase usually involves a study of many patients, sometimes thousands at a time. Generally, a comparison is made between the effectiveness of the new treatment and the standard (currently most accepted) treatment. Some participating patients may receive the standard treatment while others may receive the new treatment being tested.

Eligibility requirements for clinical trials vary. Each study has its own specific criteria which may include a patient's age, stage of disease, prior treatment for the disease, and other factors.

Again, the most important thing is to talk to your doctor in detail about all aspects of any trial or study in which you are considering participating.

You can run a search on the National Cancer Institute's web site for clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments currently recruiting patients in your area.

We have been helping victims of mesothelioma for over a decade. If you have any questions regarding treatment options or your legal rights, please contact us.