Clinical Trials For Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Videos
Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2010. This insightful patient story details how she has coped with her diagnosis over the last few years.
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Sometimes cancer patients find out that their cancer has returned. The Haven is a breast cancer charity that offers advice and support to cancer patients in this position.
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When Melanie was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, she was told that her chances of surviving were slim. Now after surgery and several years of treatment she is enjoying her life to the fullest.
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Metastatic cancer describes when cancer cells have migrated from the primary cancer site to another part of the body. Learn more about metastasis from our video.
Adjusting to a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer can be a difficult process. Watch our interview with a healthcare professional to find out more.
Clinical trials exist to test the efficacy of drugs and other treatments. Watch our video on clinical trials and breast cancer.
Clinical trials exist to test the efficacy of drugs and other treatments. Watch our video on clinical trials terminology.
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Susan has been undergoing treatments for metastatic breast cancer for more than 6 years.
What can a clinical trial do for you? Watch this video to find out
A video explaining the types of and treatment for advanced breast cancer available to patients and the considerations needed when choosing therapy.
Many patients with advanced breast cancer will be asked if they would consider taking part in a clinical trial. Before deciding whether to take part patients should understand how clinical trials work and the benefits it may have.
Clinical trial phases for breast cancer
Phase I – Safety, benefits and action
Assesses new treatments for safety and tolerability
Phase II – Dosage and Efficacy
Refining the treatment protocol, determining the right dose and measuring how effective the drug is
Phase III – Comparison to standard of care
Comparing a new drug against what is currently being used to treat a particular type of cancer. This is the most common type of clinical trial for breast cancer. Most patients who take part in clinical trials will be in a phase III trial.
Different clinical trials will look at different components of the disease. Professor of Medical Oncology, Rob Coleman explains the different outcomes a clinical trial in breast cancer may be looking for: “For the patient, what she wants is a remission of the disease, relief from the symptoms and to extend her life. For drug development, the focus is on hard endpoints that clearly show that the new drug is making a difference. The most robust endpoint is overall survival. If you can develop a drug and show that it improves how long people live for then nobody can argue with that.
However it is more common a research team would be looking at what are called surrogates for outcomes. The most commonly used surrogate is what we call progression free survival; this is the time between starting a treatment and the cancer subsequently getting worse. Improving progression free survival will generally be an advantage to the patient. Yet for some drugs it is not about survival but about trying to improve quality of life or symptoms. An example is drugs that are used to prevent bone complications from cancer. These drugs won’t extend survival or even progression free survival but they will reduce pain, fractures and the complications of cancer going to the bone. In effect they are improving the quality of life of that patient.”
There are advantages and disadvantages to taking part in a clinical trial and every patient has to decide whether the benefits outweigh the risks for them.
Some of the benefits in taking part in a clinical trial include:
• A treatment that may work a little better
• More attention and closer monitoring of the patient’s disease
• Additional support
Professor Rob Coleman reassures patient’s that there is nothing to be frightened of in taking part in a clinical trial. The research team will always explain what is going on. If at any point a patient changes their mind, they are free to withdraw from the trial.
“There is little to be lost by signing up to a clinical trial - and a lot to gain.” Professor of Medical Oncology, Rob Coleman
To participate in a clinical trial or to find out more ask your doctor or go to www.cancerhelp.org.uk
Professor Rob Coleman, MBBS, MD, FRCP (London & Edinburgh)
Honorary Consultant, Weston Park Hospital
Professor of Medical Oncology, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffiled
10014 Published October 2011
Reviewed November 2012
Review Scheduled November 2013
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