Learn About Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Any time you or a loved one need treatment for cancer, clinical trials are an option to think about. Learning all you can about clinical trials can help you talk with your doctor and decide what is right for you.
We want to provide you with up-to-date, credible information about clinical trials. Information on this page is from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Through clinical trials, doctors find new ways to improve treatments and the quality of life for people with disease.
Researchers design cancer clinical trials to test new ways to:
-
- Treat cancer
- Find and diagnose cancer
- Prevent cancer
- Manage symptoms of cancer and side effects from its treatment
Clinical trials are the final step in a long process that begins with research in a lab. Before any new treatment is used with people in clinical trials, researchers work for many years to understand its effects on cancer cells in the lab and in animals. They also try to figure out the side effects it may cause.
Every trial has a doctor in charge, who is called the principal investigator. The principal investigator prepares a plan for the trial, called a protocol. The protocol explains what will be done during the trial. It also contains information that helps the doctor decide if this treatment is right for you. Such as:
- The reason for doing the trial
- Who can join the trial (called “eligibility criteria”)
- How many people are needed for the trial
- Any drugs or other treatments that will be given, how they will be given, the dose, and how often
- What medical tests will be done and how often
- What types of information will be collected about the people taking part
Any time you or a loved one needs treatment for cancer, clinical trials are an option to think about. Trials are available for all stages of cancer. It is a myth that they are only for people who have advanced cancer that is not responding to treatment.
To look for NCI-supported trials, click here.
Why are Clinical Trials Important?
Today, people are living longer lives from successful cancer treatments that are the results of past clinical trials. Through clinical trials, doctors determine whether new treatments are safe and effective and work better than current treatments. Clinical trials also help us find new ways to prevent and detect cancer, and they help us improve the quality of life for people during and after treatment. When you take part in a clinical trial, you add to our knowledge about cancer and help improve cancer care for future patients. Clinical trials are the key to making progress against cancer.
Why should I join a clinical trial?
Treatments might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments.
The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Clinical trials can also look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.
People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Healthy volunteers say they participate to help others and to contribute to moving science forward. Participants with an illness or disease also participate to help others, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and to have the additional care and attention from the clinical trial staff.
Clinical trials offer hope for many people and an opportunity to help researchers find better treatments for others in the future.
NCI has trained trial counselors who can help you find potential trials to discuss with your oncologist. There is no charge to you.
Talking with your oncologist about trials
Dr Martin Voss, medical oncologist from MSKCC gives a detailed discussion of enrolling in a clinical trial for kidney cancer patients.
How do I find a Kidney Cancer Trial?
Watch this quick overview of how to search for an NCI-supported clinical trial or call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to speak with an NCI cancer information specialist in English or Spanish.
After a discussion with your oncologist about trials, you may want to explore options yourself.
NCI offers help for patients new to clinical trials useful steps to find a trial.
How can I find kidney cancer trials close to me?
Click the link to search on clinicaltrials.gov which has the broadest information. Fill in a few basics like “kidney cancer” and your location. You can add a keyword like “immunotherapy” or “Papillary” to filter your results and shorten the list.
Kidney Cancer Research Consortium
The Kidney Cancer Research Consortium is comprised of seven partner institutions at top academic research institutions across the country.
Visit their website for more information about clinical trials.
Paying for Clinical Trials
Many patients ask about the costs of trial participation. A mix of insurance plus trial sponsor support can minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Learn more by watching this short video from Cancer.gov below.
Download this useful document from the National Cancer Institute to read about taking part in a clinical research trial.
Reliable Resources for Cancer Information
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
www.cancer.gov
CANCER.NET
www.cancer.net/cancer-types/kidney-cancer
INTERNATIONAL KIDNEY CANCER COALITION
www.ikcc.org
CANCER AND CAREERS
www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work
Join Our Grassroots Army
Join Us!
💚June 15th is #WorldKidneyCancerDay. This year, we`re talking about how to live well when you have kidney cancer.
A #kidneycancer diagnosis can impact your emotional health, which in turn can affect your relationships. This is a life-changing experience, and you may need to adjust household and extended family roles. At our Patient Resource Center, we’ve gathered resources to guide you as you share your diagnosis, communicate with others, and seek support.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/LivingWellRCC
Jun 8
💚June 15th is #WorldKidneyCancerDay. This year, we`re talking about how to live well when you have kidney cancer.
A #kidneycancer diagnosis can impact your emotional health, which in turn can affect your relationships. This is a life-changing experience, and you may need to adjust household and extended family roles. At our Patient Resource Center, we’ve gathered resources to guide you as you share your diagnosis, communicate with others, and seek support.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/LivingWellRCC
🌍 #WorldKidneyCancerDay is coming up!
IKCC is hosting a Global Patient and Caregiver Symposium on June 15th to discuss living well with #kidneycancer. We`re excited to join and learn together.
Don`t miss out! Register here: https://www.worldkidneycancerday.org/register/
Being diagnosed with and treated for kidney cancer will change many facets of your life. KidneyCAN provides information and support to help you manage your stress and improve your health and well-being at our Patient Resource Center: https://bit.ly/LivingWellRCC
#AcceleratingCures #LivingWellwithCancer
Jun 8
🌍 #WorldKidneyCancerDay is coming up!
IKCC is hosting a Global Patient and Caregiver Symposium on June 15th to discuss living well with #kidneycancer. We`re excited to join and learn together.
Don`t miss out! Register here: https://www.worldkidneycancerday.org/register/
Being diagnosed with and treated for kidney cancer will change many facets of your life. KidneyCAN provides information and support to help you manage your stress and improve your health and well-being at our Patient Resource Center: https://bit.ly/LivingWellRCC
#AcceleratingCures #LivingWellwithCancer
📣 World Kidney Cancer Day is on June 15th!
This year`s theme is "Living Well with Kidney Cancer." Join our partners and us at IKCC for the Global Patient and Caregiver Symposium to learn more about maintaining your quality of life while managing #kidneycancer.
Register here: https://www.worldkidneycancerday.org/register/
In the meantime, check out our Patient Resource Center for more resources to help you feel your best while coping with kidney cancer: https://bit.ly/LivingWellRCC
#WorldKidneyCancerDay #AcceleratingCures #LivingWellwithCancer
Jun 7
📣 World Kidney Cancer Day is on June 15th!
This year`s theme is "Living Well with Kidney Cancer." Join our partners and us at IKCC for the Global Patient and Caregiver Symposium to learn more about maintaining your quality of life while managing #kidneycancer.
Register here: https://www.worldkidneycancerday.org/register/
In the meantime, check out our Patient Resource Center for more resources to help you feel your best while coping with kidney cancer: https://bit.ly/LivingWellRCC
#WorldKidneyCancerDay #AcceleratingCures #LivingWellwithCancer
Don`t miss this insightful video featuring Dr. Eric Jonasch from MD Anderson Cancer Center discussing brain metastases in #kidneycancer. Learn about:
· early indicators
· the importance of brain MRIs
· treatment options like SRS and surgery
· the effectiveness of existing drug treatments
Stay informed and empowered on this critical topic. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q7c-YV85oso
May 31
Don`t miss this insightful video featuring Dr. Eric Jonasch from MD Anderson Cancer Center discussing brain metastases in #kidneycancer. Learn about:
· early indicators
· the importance of brain MRIs
· treatment options like SRS and surgery
· the effectiveness of existing drug treatments
Stay informed and empowered on this critical topic. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q7c-YV85oso
🇺🇸 Honoring Heroes on Memorial Day 🇺🇸
Today, on #MemorialDay, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. We pay tribute to their courage, dedication, and selflessness in defending our freedoms.
As we commemorate this day, it is essential to recognize that many service-related deaths result from diseases, specifically #kidneycancer, linked to exposures during military service. We stand with our veterans and their families, offering support and resources to navigate their healthcare journeys.
Visit our Kidney Cancer and the Military page in the Patient Resource Center, where we share powerful stories from veterans affected by cancer due to exposure while serving. These stories highlight the significance of the recently passed PACT Act, which provides recognition, validation, and medical aid for service-related chemical injuries.
https://bit.ly/MiltaryandKidneyCancer
Today, let us honor our fallen heroes and also support our living heroes by ensuring they receive the care and benefits they deserve. Together, we can continue to advocate for improved healthcare access and research advancements, while standing in solidarity with our military community.
#MemorialDay #RememberingOurHeroes #VeteransStories #PACTAct #supportourheroes
May 29
🇺🇸 Honoring Heroes on Memorial Day 🇺🇸
Today, on #MemorialDay, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. We pay tribute to their courage, dedication, and selflessness in defending our freedoms.
As we commemorate this day, it is essential to recognize that many service-related deaths result from diseases, specifically #kidneycancer, linked to exposures during military service. We stand with our veterans and their families, offering support and resources to navigate their healthcare journeys.
Visit our Kidney Cancer and the Military page in the Patient Resource Center, where we share powerful stories from veterans affected by cancer due to exposure while serving. These stories highlight the significance of the recently passed PACT Act, which provides recognition, validation, and medical aid for service-related chemical injuries.
https://bit.ly/MiltaryandKidneyCancer
Today, let us honor our fallen heroes and also support our living heroes by ensuring they receive the care and benefits they deserve. Together, we can continue to advocate for improved healthcare access and research advancements, while standing in solidarity with our military community.
#MemorialDay #RememberingOurHeroes #VeteransStories #PACTAct #supportourheroes
A gorgeous day in DC! KidneyCAN joined partner organizations to speak to freshman reps in Congress about the need for CDMRP funding. Thanks to all who joined us!
#AcceleratingCures
May 18
A gorgeous day in DC! KidneyCAN joined partner organizations to speak to freshman reps in Congress about the need for CDMRP funding. Thanks to all who joined us!
#AcceleratingCures
📸 Capturing meaningful connections! Our KidneyCAN team had the privilege of engaging with patients and guests at the "Together Facing Genitourinary Cancer" workshop at Fox Chase Cancer Center last night. Patients also heard from experts on promising treatments for #GUcancers.
We`re proud to provide valuable resources and support to those affected by #kidneycancer! Thank you to FCCC for having us at this event.
May 12
📸 Capturing meaningful connections! Our KidneyCAN team had the privilege of engaging with patients and guests at the "Together Facing Genitourinary Cancer" workshop at Fox Chase Cancer Center last night. Patients also heard from experts on promising treatments for #GUcancers.
We`re proud to provide valuable resources and support to those affected by #kidneycancer! Thank you to FCCC for having us at this event.
We recently caught up with one of our favorites, Dr. Alexander Kutikov of Fox Chase Cancer Center, at the American Urological Association meeting. Tonight, we`re back at Fox Chase for "Together Facing Genitourinary Cancer," a free educational workshop for patients and caregivers.
The program will feature a panel of Fox Chase clinicians and researchers discussing promising treatments for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer. KidneyCAN, along with industry partners and Fox Chase special services, will also participate in the event by providing helpful resources.
If you`re near Philly, come join us tonight! Info at https://www.foxchase.org/TogetherFacingGUCancer2023
May 11
We recently caught up with one of our favorites, Dr. Alexander Kutikov of Fox Chase Cancer Center, at the American Urological Association meeting. Tonight, we`re back at Fox Chase for "Together Facing Genitourinary Cancer," a free educational workshop for patients and caregivers.
The program will feature a panel of Fox Chase clinicians and researchers discussing promising treatments for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer. KidneyCAN, along with industry partners and Fox Chase special services, will also participate in the event by providing helpful resources.
If you`re near Philly, come join us tonight! Info at https://www.foxchase.org/TogetherFacingGUCancer2023
"I`m not going to be pre-cancer Laura ever again. I happen to quite like post-cancer Laura, actually, so that`s a good thing."
🧡💚💪✨
At our recent Town Hall, we heard from the best experts -- patients who understand the challenges of living with #kidneycancer. We also learned about strategies for coping and thriving despite the uncertainties. Watch the recording now for inspiration and hope!
WATCH: https://youtu.be/gdYKrEL7OjM
Additional resources for patients at www.kidneycan.org
#kidneycancer #KidneyCAN #TownHall #RCC #survivorship
May 3
"I`m not going to be pre-cancer Laura ever again. I happen to quite like post-cancer Laura, actually, so that`s a good thing."
🧡💚💪✨
At our recent Town Hall, we heard from the best experts -- patients who understand the challenges of living with #kidneycancer. We also learned about strategies for coping and thriving despite the uncertainties. Watch the recording now for inspiration and hope!
WATCH: https://youtu.be/gdYKrEL7OjM
Additional resources for patients at www.kidneycan.org
#kidneycancer #KidneyCAN #TownHall #RCC #survivorship
Looking for inspiration and hope on your #kidneycancer journey? Join us for our Town Hall event on Tuesday, featuring stories of survivorship from three patients.
Register now for this free virtual webinar: https://bit.ly/RCCSurvivorship
#rcc #cancersurvivorship #hope
Apr 22
Looking for inspiration and hope on your #kidneycancer journey? Join us for our Town Hall event on Tuesday, featuring stories of survivorship from three patients.
Register now for this free virtual webinar: https://bit.ly/RCCSurvivorship
#rcc #cancersurvivorship #hope
