Participate in a Study
SCCA was formed, in part, to bring promising new treatments to patients faster. For lymphoma patients, this means more treatment options at SCCA than might be found elsewhere. Many of our patients receive such therapies by taking part in one of many ongoing clinical research studies conducted at SCCA and its parent organizations, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and UW Medicine.
Not all patients are cured with standard therapy, and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired; therefore, patients may seek help through a study, or clinical trial. Patients who participate in clinical trials have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about the disease.
Kinds of Clinical Trials
Clinical trials for Hodgkin’s lymphoma typically focus on one or more of these main goals:
- Improving the cure rate
- Extending remission in those whose disease recurs
- Reducing the side effects of treatment
Clinical trials come in four phases. In Phase I trials, investigators try to determine the most effective and safe dosage. In Phase II trials, which involve a larger group of patients, researchers hope to build on what they learned in the first phase by trying to establish response rates and response durations, and by trying to determine what side effects will occur. In Phase III trials, researchers compare the experimental treatment with the standard treatment. In Phase IV trials, researchers monitor the effects of long-term usage.
Finding Clinical Trials
There are many trials underway that relate to the treatment of lymphoma. Each trial is designed for a precise disease situation, so there are specific criteria for patients to join the trial.
It can be confusing to sort through lists of trials, which may contain a lot of unfamiliar technical information. Ask your doctor to tell you about trials that might apply to your situation.
If you are not yet a patient at SCCA and would like to know whether we have any trials that you might be able to take part in, you can also ask your doctor to call us to discuss this. Some of our trials are multi-center studies, which means you may be able to participate while still receiving treatment from your doctor in your home community.
There are many trials underway regarding the treatment of lymphoma. Ask your doctor about them.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma Clinical Trials at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.