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Clinical Trials Offer Mesothelioma Patients Access to Leading Edge Treatment Options

Clinical trials for malignant mesothelioma are among the best options for mesothelioma patients seeking to find new, effective treatments for their disease. Clinical trials may be offered in hospitals, medical research institutions or medical centers, and are often led by mesothelioma experts from prominent research universities. The trials test not only new treatment options, but also a variety of other medical needs as varied as screening, prevention, diagnosis and even access to virtual online support groups.

Clinical trials provide researchers with valuable information that may help current and future patients battle the incurable disease, and they provide patients with access to treatments for the disease not yet available through their primary care physician. A clinical trial is a critical stage in the arduous cancer research process and is central to finding a cure for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, chest or abdomen that is highly resistant to many cancer treatments. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, there are nearly 50 studies for malignant mesothelioma being conducted worldwide. Trial sites are located throughout the world and today some of the clinical trials are being conducted in the United States, Israel, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.

The Intercultural Cancer Council reports that less than 5% of the over ten million cancer patients in the United States participate in clinical trials. In the report, two primary reasons were reported for this lack of participation: a lack of awareness of clinical trials and a mistrust of the research being conducted.

In the U.S., clinical trials are run according to strict guidelines. A federally funded trial, according to the National Institutes of Health, has safeguards in place to protect the participants. Participants in federally funded clinical trials are educated by the trial researchers with the following information prior to agreeing to become a participant in a clinical trial:

  • What will happen during a study including eligibility criteria, evaluations and all procedures to be performed;
  • The possible risks, benefits, alternatives, and responsibilities of the clinical trial are explained thoroughly to patients before they agree to participate;
  • That a clinical study is reviewed by an independent review board prior to the start to ensure that potential risks are clearly stated, and that investigators take sufficient and appropriate measures to address risks before the study proceeds;
  • The study will be closely monitored once it is underway by an independent committee for safety and conformation to the study documents;
  • That their privacy will be protected; and
  • The study will be ethical and will follow international and federal “good clinical practices” guidelines.

Mesothelioma patients who are knowledgeable about the nature and risk associated with a clinical trial are better able to work with their primary physician to determine whether a clinical trial is appropriate for the treatment of the their disease.

Mesothelioma patients that participate in clinical trials not only help the medical community in general, but they can realize many benefits for their specific medical needs.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

The following clinical trials for mesothelioma are currently seeking participants. The studies are sorted by their relevance to malignant mesothelioma. For more information on these or other clinical trials in progress, click here.