Participating in Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma

Helping to test experimental mesothelioma treatments

Clinical trials for mesothelioma are rigorous scientific research studies designed to determine the effectiveness, dangers, and side effects of experimental mesothelioma treatments. Patients must volunteer for these trials, and the doctors and medical institutions doing the research must accept them into the studies. So how can patients find out about trials that may benefit them, and how can they volunteer to participate in them?

Finding clinical trials for mesothelioma

There are at least two ways to identify clinical trials for mesothelioma:

• Talk to a trusted doctor and the mesothelioma specialists at the institution where you are being treated. Keep in mind that just because the doctors you know are involved in trials for a particular experimental mesothelioma treatment does not mean that those clinical trials for mesothelioma are the most appropriate for you.
• Do your own research on the internet. You can find clinical trials for mesothelioma by searching on mesothelioma at the National Cancer Institute’s clinical trials website, which you can access at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/screen/SimpleSearch.

Qualifying for clinical trials for mesothelioma

Test results for new, experimental mesothelioma treatments are only accurate if the experiments are strictly controlled. Proper controls require the prescription of a strict treatment regimen that is administered consistently to a uniform group of volunteer study participants. So, to participate in one of these clinical trials for mesothelioma, you must qualify as part of the group being studied. Inclusion and exclusion criteria usually have to do with:

• Type of cancer cells and its location
• Stage of the cancer
• Previous treatments
• Length of time since the last received treatment
• Results of lab tests
• Medications being taken
• Other medical conditions
• Activity level (performance status)

Deciding if you should opt in

After it is confirmed that you qualify for one or more clinical mesothelioma trials, you must decide if you want to volunteer for a study. The American Cancer Society recommends that you ask yourself some basic questions:

• Why do you want to take part in this clinical trial?
• What are your goals and expectations? How realistic are they?
• How sure are your doctors about what your future holds depending on whether you decide to participate?
• Have you considered:
  • The chance of benefit versus risk?
  • Other factors like time and money?
  • Other options available to you?

Thinking about these issues should help you make the decision that is right for you.