Oncology Research Department
The Oncology Research Department at the Queen’s Medical Center aims to improve cancer care in Hawaii by supporting cancer research. Our department consists of six full-time employees, dedicated to implementing and carrying out oncology clinical trials at our institution.
Our department reviews research studies that are available from pharmaceutical companies and sponsors. With the input of our experienced oncologists, we select trials that show promise and potential benefit to our patients. Once a trial is chosen, our staff works closely with the sponsor company and our own institutional regulatory departments to make the study available to our patients. All research studies must be approved by our Scientific Administrative Review (SAR) and Research and Institutional Review Committee (RIRC) to ensure that the trials are scientifically sound and that the patient is being protected. In addition to these trials that our department implements, we also work closely with the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH). This partnership allows us to also offer their clinical trials, giving our patients access to a larger variety and number of potential research studies to choose from.
It is the job of our research nurses to screen patients for all of these studies, to find those who would be good candidates and would potentially benefit from being a participant in the trial. The nurses work with the patients to make sure they fully understand their involvement in the research study. Once enrolled onto trial, the nurse acts as a resource for the patient, walking them through their clinical treatment, assisting with scheduling, obtaining laboratory and imaging testing they may need, answering questions, and generally tracking their progress.
Many of the standard treatments for cancer today are results of research studies done in the past. Research studies today can help to make progress toward better cancer care for the future generations of Hawaii. Our department contributes to finding ways to better diagnose and treat cancer by participating in these oncology clinical trials.
Clinical Trials
Phase I clinical trials look to find a safe dose for patients. The method of how a treatment should be given is also decided in this phase along with looking at the effects the treatment has on the body.
Phase II: (Less than 100 people take part)
Looks to find if the treatment works to fight a certain type of cancer and continues to look at how the treatment affects the body.
Phase III: (100 to thousands of people take part)
Looks to see if the new treatment or the new way treatment is being used works better than that of standard care.
Phase IV: (Hundreds to thousands of people take part)
Looks at the long-term effects of the new treatment including safety and how well the new treatment works.
Prevention trials: looks at ways to prevent cancer.
Screening trials: studies different ways to find cancer.
Diagnostic trials: compares new tests to the standard tests currently being used to identify cancer.
Treatment trials: tests new treatments, drugs, or ways to combine standard treatments in a more effective manner.
Risks and benefits
There are both risks and benefits to participating in clinical trials. It is important to know that not all treatments you receive on trial are as good as the standard treatment, and that the treatment may not work for you specifically. These new treatments might also have side effects that are not currently known. There is also a possibility of additional testing or doctor’s visit if you are on trial that you would not typically undergo if you were just getting standard treatment.
On the other hand, clinical trials offer high-quality cancer care and provide treatment options that you may not have otherwise had. The new treatments may be more effective than standard care, and you may be among the first to benefit if you choose to participate. Many of the standard treatments today are a result of clinical trials done in the past; by choosing to take part in a clinical trial, you are helping to improve cancer treatment.
Our department reviews research studies that are available from pharmaceutical companies and sponsors. With the input of our experienced oncologists, we select trials that show promise and potential benefit to our patients. Once a trial is chosen, our staff works closely with the sponsor company and our own institutional regulatory departments to make the study available to our patients. All research studies must be approved by our Scientific Administrative Review (SAR) and Research and Institutional Review Committee (RIRC) to ensure that the trials are scientifically sound and that the patient is being protected. In addition to these trials that our department implements, we also work closely with the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH). This partnership allows us to also offer their clinical trials, giving our patients access to a larger variety and number of potential research studies to choose from.
It is the job of our research nurses to screen patients for all of these studies, to find those who would be good candidates and would potentially benefit from being a participant in the trial. The nurses work with the patients to make sure they fully understand their involvement in the research study. Once enrolled onto trial, the nurse acts as a resource for the patient, walking them through their clinical treatment, assisting with scheduling, obtaining laboratory and imaging testing they may need, answering questions, and generally tracking their progress.
Many of the standard treatments for cancer today are results of research studies done in the past. Research studies today can help to make progress toward better cancer care for the future generations of Hawaii. Our department contributes to finding ways to better diagnose and treat cancer by participating in these oncology clinical trials.
Clinical Trials
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that involves people and aims to improve cancer care through finding better ways we can treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer. There are a number of tests that take place in both the laboratory and on animals before a clinical trial will ever reach a patient. Clinical trials are the final step in the process and must go through 3 or 4 phases before it can become part of standard care. The purpose of these phases is to see if the treatment is safe and if it works better than the current treatment.Phases
Phase I: (15 – 30 people take part)Phase I clinical trials look to find a safe dose for patients. The method of how a treatment should be given is also decided in this phase along with looking at the effects the treatment has on the body.
Phase II: (Less than 100 people take part)
Looks to find if the treatment works to fight a certain type of cancer and continues to look at how the treatment affects the body.
Phase III: (100 to thousands of people take part)
Looks to see if the new treatment or the new way treatment is being used works better than that of standard care.
Phase IV: (Hundreds to thousands of people take part)
Looks at the long-term effects of the new treatment including safety and how well the new treatment works.
Types of Trials
There are many types of clinical trials that may be available.Prevention trials: looks at ways to prevent cancer.
Screening trials: studies different ways to find cancer.
Diagnostic trials: compares new tests to the standard tests currently being used to identify cancer.
Treatment trials: tests new treatments, drugs, or ways to combine standard treatments in a more effective manner.
Participation
Each Clinical Trial has a specific set of requirements for participation. You may be able to take part in a clinical trial based on the type of cancer you have, the stage of your cancer, your age, whether or not you have received treatment in the past, and many other factors. If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, the study doctor and nurses will check to make sure you fit all the requirements and that the treatment on trial is right for you.Risks and benefits
There are both risks and benefits to participating in clinical trials. It is important to know that not all treatments you receive on trial are as good as the standard treatment, and that the treatment may not work for you specifically. These new treatments might also have side effects that are not currently known. There is also a possibility of additional testing or doctor’s visit if you are on trial that you would not typically undergo if you were just getting standard treatment.On the other hand, clinical trials offer high-quality cancer care and provide treatment options that you may not have otherwise had. The new treatments may be more effective than standard care, and you may be among the first to benefit if you choose to participate. Many of the standard treatments today are a result of clinical trials done in the past; by choosing to take part in a clinical trial, you are helping to improve cancer treatment.
Questions to Ask
Before agreeing to participate in a clinical trial, you should be sure you understand your role as a participant, and have all your questions answered. Here a few things you should be sure to ask your study doctor or nurse:- Why is this clinical trial being done?
Understand why your doctor thinks this treatment may be more effective than the standard. - What does the new treatment involve?
Understand how the treatment is given to you. - What is expected of me as a participant?
Ask about doctor visits, questionnaires, length of time involved in participation, blood draws, testing, and hospitalization. - What are the potential benefits?
Understand what benefits participation may have for you, and why this may be better than the standard treatment. - What are the risks and side effects?
Understand the risks associated with the treatment and what kind of potential side effects you may experience. - How does the new treatment compare with the standard treatment?
Ask how being part of this clinical trial will differ from your standard treatment. - What will it cost?
Ask what the cost of the treatments and testing will be, and how much of this will be covered by the sponsor company and your insurance. - What are my other options?
Know all of your alternative options and how they differ from the treatment you receive on trial before choosing to take part in the study.