Advances Through Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
The purpose of lung cancer clinical trials is to advance the use of medicine, technology and science in the early detection and treatment of the disease. Trials typically last for months, and successful results benefit volunteer patients. During the study, a patient receives excellent medical care, and participation helps advance knowledge of the disease for future generations.
Breakthroughs have resulted from testing new protocols on patients during clinical studies. In a report from HealthDay news ( June 5th, 2010) Amanda Gardner reveals how patients extended their life expectancy with the use of combination chemotherapy. Studies targeted non-small cell lung cancer in advanced stages. Participating patients possessed a gene variant which responded to the experimental drug combination, and account for approximately four percent of the total cases worldwide.
In all but 10 percent of the volunteers, the combination chemotherapy reduced the tumor size. Seventy two percent showed no tumor growth at their six month check-up. During the treatment some patients experienced vomiting and diarrhea.
Smoking and tobacco use are well-known risk factors associated with small-cell carcinoma. This cancer metastasizes quickly and is difficult to detect. Researchers conducted a study at the ‘National Cancer Institute’ to find out if quitting this habit had long term benefits. The clinical trials, conducted from 1973 to 1989 focused on survivors who were free of this disease for at least two years.
Survivors who continued to smoke had an increased chance at developing another cancer. Survivors who ceased the smoking habit were found to have a decreased risk. The results of this study echo similar information on the website of the American Lung Association. The body repairs itself from the damage of smoking over time.
Current trials are working towards a small-cell cancer vaccine, investigational drugs and the use of targeted radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was effective in prolonging patient’s lives by preventing SCLC from spreading to the brain. The study, which was published in the Aug. 16, 2007, New England Journal of Medicine, focused on cases of early stage small-cell which responded to chemotherapy.
An interested patient can find a clinical trial through the American Lung Association, National Cancer Institute or universities conducting research.