Who made it on Chicago magazine’s “Top Cancer Docs” list?

Clinical trials are performed to advance knowledge and improve patient care. They help health care professionals around the country and the world treat serious and challenging diseases like cancer more effectively and give patients access to new treatments and therapies.

What are clinical trials?

Clinical trials are research studies designed for a select group of patients. Some trials test the safety and effectiveness of new cancer treatments; others test new procedures or approaches for cancer screening or prevention. Clinical trials follow very detailed and strict procedures for administering the new treatment or procedure and measuring its effects (both good and bad) on patients, compared to the standard approach. Clinical trials help improve existing treatment options for patients. All improvements in cancer care were made possible because of clinical trials.

Why participate in a clinical trial?

Clinical trials provide access to new drugs and treatments before they are widely available, while closely monitoring the health and any side effects in patients. They allow patients to play a more active role in their health care and make a valuable contribution to cancer research. Despite these potential benefits, there are risks, including unknown side effects and the possibility that the new treatments are less effective than current therapies. Patients enrolled in clinical trials will still receive standard treatment for their disease during the clinical trial.

Who is eligible for clinical trials?

Each study has its own guidelines explaining who is eligible to participate. Participants are typically chosen because they share common conditions, such as the type and stage of cancer, age or gender. Clinical trials at the University of Chicago Medicine are designed to include a variety of types of cancer in order to benefit as many patients as possible, including those who have received past treatments.

Are patients protected?

All clinical trials at UChicago Medicine follow strict scientific and ethical principles. Each trial is carefully designed and is closely reviewed by independent researchers and doctors before even being allowed to begin.

Where can I go for more information?

To learn more about UChicago Medicine’s cancer clinical trials, call 1-855-702-8222 for adult trials or 1-773702-2927 for pediatric trials, or visit UChicagoMedicine.org/clinical-trials.