Major pharmaceutical companies continually research and develop new medications and treatments for brain cancer, which must be shown to be safe and effective before doctors can prescribe them to patients. Through clinical trials, researchers test the effects of new medications on a group of volunteers with brain cancer. Following a strict protocol and using carefully controlled conditions, researchers evaluate the investigational drugs under development and measure the ability of the new drug to treat brain cancer, its safety, and any possible side effects.
Some patients are reluctant to take part in clinical trials for fear of getting no treatment at all for their brain cancer. This is simply not true. Patients who participate in clinical trials receive the most effective therapy currently available for their condition -- or they may receive treatments that are being evaluated for future use. These brain cancer drugs may be even more effective than the current treatment. The only way to find out which treatment is best is by comparing them head-to-head in a clinical trial.
The following websites offer information and services to help you find a clinical trial that is right for you.
This website, developed by the nonprofit Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, is an unbiased cancer clinical trial matching and navigation service enabling patients to search for cancer trials based on disease and location. It has now merged with a cancer decision-support platform, called eviti, which contains treatment guidelines.
This website lists more than 12,000 cancer clinical trials, describes the trials, gives eligibility criteria, and explains what to do when you find one that you think is right for you.
This website offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for cancer in the U.S. and around the world.
This website lists industry-sponsored clinical trials that are actively recruiting patients.