We occasionally get requests to pass on information about clinical trials that are looking to enroll patents.  Stanford and UCSF often have open trials, and smaller clinics also contact us.  Nationally, there are many myeloma trials.  The links below are resources where anyone can find out more about myeloma trials.

Why do a clinical trial?

There can be benefits, including

·         Close patient monitoring - The trial sponsor typically has the doctor keep much closer contact with you, with more frequent testing of the disease status and treatment side effects, than when you are not on a trial.

·         Cost reductions - The sponsor of the trial often pays for your doctor visits, lab tests, and drugs

·         Earlier access to the drug - If the trial is of a drug that is not yet approved, you may be getting the treatment many years earlier than if you wait for the FDA approval.

·         Clinical trials, whether an individual patient responds or not, advance the understanding of myeloma treatments. 

What to consider

There are different phases that a drug goes through during the approval process:

Phase I - determines maximum tolerated dosage

Phase II - tests to see if the treatment works or not

Phase III - compares possible new treatment with current standard of care

Phase IV - post FDA approval studying long-term effects

You’ll want to consider the Trial Phase. For example, in earlier trials, less is understood such as potential side effects.  You’ll also want to look at the trial eligibilty criteria (e.g. refractory/relapsed patient, newly diagnosed patient, patient health or previous treatment restrictions and more).  And you’ll want to learn the length and administration details of any trial, including whether you can continue to get treated with the drug even after the trial ends.

Participation in clinical trials is a very individual decision. To help you locate clinical trials for myeloma, here are several resources: