Patient Clinical Trial Info
At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, we provide a comprehensive, innovative care and access to clinical trials across Greater Houston. Using the latest research, treatments & technology to stop cancer. Through pioneering research, individualized treatment plans and compassionate care, doctors at the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center are steadfast in their mission to eradicate cancer and support those who have it.
There are many reasons why people choose to join a clinical trial. Some join a trial because the treatments they have tried for their health problem did not work. Others participate because there is no treatment for their health problem. By being part of a clinical trial, participants may find out about new treatments before they are widely available. Some studies are designed for, or include, people who are healthy but want to help find ways to prevent a disease, such as one that may be common in their family.
Participating in clinical research is an important decision and one that you should consider carefully before deciding to take part. If you are looking to find a particular study of interest or would like to learn ways on how to become involved in research, please contact us.
The benefits of participating in a clinical trial include:
Informed consent is a process of communication between you and your health care provider that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services. Every patient has the right to get information and ask questions before procedures and treatments. If adult patients are mentally able to make their own decisions, medical care cannot begin unless they give informed consent.
The informed consent process makes sure that your health care provider has given you information about your condition along with testing and treatment options before you decide what to do.
Patients have the ability to change their mind at any time, even if you have already started treatment.
A new treatment goes through several phases, each with its own purpose:
Phase I: Tests whether a new treatment is safe, looks for the best way to give the treatment, and watches for signs that cancer responds to the treatment.
Phase II: Focuses on how a specific type of cancer responds to the new treatment.
Phase III: Tests whether a new treatment is better than the standard of care. After this phase, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews the new drug or procedure.
Phase IV: After FDA approval, Phase IV determines the long-term benefits and side effects of the new treatment.
Why participate in a clinical trial?
There are many reasons why people choose to join a clinical trial. Some join a trial because the treatments they have tried for their health problem did not work. Others participate because there is no treatment for their health problem. By being part of a clinical trial, participants may find out about new treatments before they are widely available. Some studies are designed for, or include, people who are healthy but want to help find ways to prevent a disease, such as one that may be common in their family.
Participating in clinical research is an important decision and one that you should consider carefully before deciding to take part. If you are looking to find a particular study of interest or would like to learn ways on how to become involved in research, please contact us.
The benefits of participating in a clinical trial include:
- Having the opportunity to take part in research that will help our experts better understand your type of cancer, which may lead to new ways to prevent, detect and treat it in the future.
- Being offered a new and potentially promising treatment that’s not available to the general public
- Receiving care at one of the nation’s leading academic hospitals
Informed Consent
Informed consent is a process of communication between you and your health care provider that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services. Every patient has the right to get information and ask questions before procedures and treatments. If adult patients are mentally able to make their own decisions, medical care cannot begin unless they give informed consent.
The informed consent process makes sure that your health care provider has given you information about your condition along with testing and treatment options before you decide what to do.
Patients have the ability to change their mind at any time, even if you have already started treatment.
What Are the Phases of a Clinical Trial?
A new treatment goes through several phases, each with its own purpose:
Phase I: Tests whether a new treatment is safe, looks for the best way to give the treatment, and watches for signs that cancer responds to the treatment.
Phase II: Focuses on how a specific type of cancer responds to the new treatment.
Phase III: Tests whether a new treatment is better than the standard of care. After this phase, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews the new drug or procedure.
Phase IV: After FDA approval, Phase IV determines the long-term benefits and side effects of the new treatment.