Clinical Trials Resources

Doctors and scientists are always looking for better ways to treat patients with childhood cancer. A clinical trial is a way to test a new treatment to prove that it is safe, effective, and possibly better than a standard treatment. Children who participate in clinical trials are among the first to receive new treatments before they are widely available. However, there is no guarantee that the new treatment will be safe, effective, or better than a standard treatment.

If a child is of an appropriate age, they may be asked to participate in a clinical trial. Parents and children decide to participate in clinical trials for many reasons. For some children, a clinical trial is the best treatment option available. Because standard treatments are not perfect, parents and children are often willing to face the added uncertainty of a clinical trial in the hope of a better result. Other parents/children volunteer for clinical trials because they know that finding new drugs and other therapies is the only way to make progress in treating childhood cancer. Even if they do not benefit directly from the clinical trial, their participation may benefit future patients with childhood cancer.

To join a clinical trial, parents/children must complete a learning process known as informed consent. During informed consent, the doctor should list all of the options, so the parent/child understands how the new treatment differs from the standard treatment. The doctor must also list all of the risks of the new treatment, which may or may not be different from the risks of standard treatment. Finally, the doctor must explain what will be required of each parent/child in order to participate in the clinical trial, including the number of doctor visits, tests, and the schedule of treatment. Learn more about clinical trials, including patient safety, phases of a clinical trial, deciding to participate in a clinical trial, questions to ask the research team, and links to find cancer clinical trials.