Facing a cancer diagnosis can feel frightening and overwhelming. We see you. We hear you. And we want you to know you are not alone. At Tanner Cancer Care, we walk with you every step of the way because your story and your hope matter.

Clinical trials are one of the most powerful ways we move closer to a cure. These research studies test new treatments to determine whether they are safe and more effective than current options. Many doctors view clinical trials as an important option because they offer the potential for better outcomes and help advance cancer care for future patients.

At Tanner Cancer Care, we evaluate your situation and guide you toward trials that fit your unique needs. When you join a clinical trial, you gain access to the latest therapies while helping pave the way for better cancer care in the future.

What are clinical trials and why are they important?

Clinical trials are carefully designed studies that involve people like you to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. These studies seek to answer many questions, including:

• How well new drugs destroy cancer cells,
• Whether advanced radiation therapies, such as proton therapy, offer better results,
• If new surgical techniques can remove tumors more safely, and
• How combinations of treatments can create the most effective approach.

Without clinical trials, we would not have many of the advances in cancer care that save lives today. Each study is a step forward in science and healing. Your participation helps researchers discover breakthrough treatments that bring us closer to a cure.

The benefits of joining a cancer clinical trial

Participating in a clinical trial means opening the door to hope and possibility.

• Personalized care: You receive care from our expert oncology team, who monitor your health closely and listen to your concerns every step of the way.
• Advanced treatment access: You may receive cutting-edge therapies that are not yet widely available.
• Ongoing monitoring: Regular visits and tests track how the treatment is working and how you are feeling.
• You remain in control: You can leave a trial at any time without losing access to regular care.

At the same time, your participation helps shape the future of cancer care for others who will face this disease. You are not just a patient. You are a vital partner in discovery and the fight against cancer.

Understanding safety and oversight in clinical trials

“Every cancer treatment involves weighing potential risks and benefits, and my role as a physician is to help patients clearly understand those decisions,” says Randall Pierce, MD. “By the time a treatment reaches a phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trial, it has already been studied extensively. We have meaningful data on how these therapies behave, what side effects may occur and how effective they may be against specific cancers. This allows us to move forward carefully, with patient safety guiding every decision we make.”

For phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials offered at Tanner Cancer Care, the medications have already undergone extensive testing. At this stage, researchers and physicians have a clearer understanding of how these treatments work, what side effects may occur and how they may help patients. This foundation allows care teams to move forward thoughtfully, always keeping patient safety and well-being at the center of care.

“While safety is always a priority, many trials are designed to determine whether a treatment can improve outcomes beyond today’s standard therapies,” Dr. Pierce explains. “Clinical trials help us continually refine how we care for patients now and in the future.”

The cancer specialists overseeing your care will carefully monitor you throughout treatment. Your team will review test results, track how the treatment is working and listen closely to how you feel. If a treatment is not providing benefit or begins to pose undue risk, the trial may be stopped so another appropriate treatment option can be pursued.

“Your well-being is never secondary to the study,” says Dr. Pierce.

How treatment is determined in clinical trials

When you participate in a clinical trial, the treatment you receive is determined by the study design. For most phase 2 trials, which focus on evaluating a treatment in a specific group of patients, all participants receive the investigational medication. In some cases, dosage may differ between patients, but you are informed in advance that you will be receiving the study drug.

For phase 3 trials, the investigational treatment is evaluated against the current standard of care. In some studies, patients receive either the standard treatment or the investigational treatment.

“Assignment to a treatment group is determined by a computerized randomization process, often described as a coin flip,” Dr. Pierce says. “This ensures scientific accuracy and fairness. Patients do not choose their treatment group.”

In other phase 3 trials, patients are randomized to receive either the standard of care alone or the standard of care in combination with the investigational drug. This approach helps determine whether adding a new therapy improves outcomes. Patients receiving standard care alone may also receive a placebo to maintain consistency across groups. Importantly, every patient enrolled receives at least the standard of care they would receive outside of the study.

“Clinical trials allow us to responsibly bring the latest scientific advances to patients with close monitoring and thoughtful oversight,” Dr. Pierce says.

The four stages of clinical trials: Building a path to better treatments

Clinical trials follow four phases to ensure new treatments are safe and effective:

• Phase 1: Tests safety and dosage in a small group.
• Phase 2: Evaluates effectiveness and continues safety monitoring.
• Phase 3: Compares the new treatment to standard therapies in a larger group.
• Phase 4: Studies long-term use after approval.

Each phase plays a critical role in turning promising research into real cures.

Take the next step on your healing journey

Clinical trials are not just studies. They are beacons of hope. Together, we can turn today’s research into tomorrow’s cures. Because cancer will not wait. Neither should your hope.

Learn more about your clinical trial care options and call 770-333-2220 to begin your personalized path to healing.