First you’ll need to define ‘SUCCESS.’
According to numerous studies and reports, Cancer Clinical
Trials have a very low success rate—somewhere in the 5%
to 7% range of all trials that are proposed. This is from Phase 1 (or
pre-phase 1) to eventual FDA approval. This is not so good except that without
even that modest success rate many of us Cancer Survivors would not be surviving.
Success is often defined in terms of producing an actual
positive impact in treating and managing cancer and increasing cancer survival.
Check
out the National Cancer Institute site for more details.
So are Cancer Clinical
Trials Getting More SUCCESSFUL? YES or NO?
If SUCCESS means more experimental results leading to
new and effective drugs—Then NO. (Success rates have not improved in
recent years—they have actually decreased)
If SUCCESS means more people are volunteering to
participate in trials—Also NO. (Some potentially successful trials never
even get started due to lack of participants)
If SUCCESS means the trial stages and FDA approval
procedures are progressing more quickly—Definitely NO. (Final FDA
approval can take many years)
If SUCCESS means ‘affordable’ prescriptions for
cancer patients—Still NO, you’ve got to be kidding (Some well-insured patients
are not even able to afford the co-pays)
If SUCCESS means weeding out the least promising
drugs in the early stages—Mostly YES. (Ineffective or dangerous drugs
can be replaced with new, more promising experimental drugs)
If SUCCESS means there will be some effective new drugs approved for patients—YES, but at a
rather slow pace.
Over the years we have encouraged our readers to volunteer
for clinical trials when given the opportunity. Your participation could help
you, others, and add to the cancer information base. Many different types of
information can prove to be useful in the study of cancer.
For example, this author, now with Metastatic-late stage
prostate cancer and in a Chemotherapy regimen, is still participating in
several clinical trials including a study of the effect of pain in cancer patients, how cancer
affects quality of life, relationships, etc.
Cancer Clinical Trials information and data can be useful
even when a particular trial is not successful in curing, treating, or managing
cancer. For example, side-effects you experience may provide information to
help others avoid or manage the same side-effects, allowing a promising trial
to continue.
Progress in the whole Cancer Clinical Trials world depends
on multiple factors. You have the chance to influence some of these factors by
participating in trials and surveys, sharing medical records, sharing your
cancer experiences, and encouraging and supporting others. Keep on keeping on
and never lose your sense of humor.
Post Text Here
To put a smile on your face see Larry's latest cartoon.
To learn more about clinical trials, take a look at our book.
(c) 2012 Tom Beer and Larry Axmaker
