Without clinical research, we wouldn’t have the many advanced cancer treatments available today. Thousands of patients across the country participate in clinical trials each year, helping doctors learn which treatments are safest and most effective. Clinical trials not only offer participants access to promising new therapies, but they also make it possible to improve treatment options for future patients with the same type of cancer.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at how Virginia Oncology Associates (VOA) participates in clinical research, how clinical trials work, and four important ways patients may benefit from them.
What Are Clinical Trials for Cancer?
Clinical research is the process of evaluating new medications, treatment combinations, and approaches to care. Trials are carefully designed studies to determine:
- Does the new treatment work?
- Is it safe?
- How does it compare with the current standard of care?
Before any new cancer therapy becomes widely available, it must go through multiple study phases and provide enough data for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review and approve it. The ultimate goal is always the same: better outcomes and safer treatments for patients.
In oncology, research focuses on better understanding the biology of cancer, identifying risk factors, and developing more effective methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Each clinical trial is designed to answer specific questions about a drug, therapy, or combination of treatments for a particular type of cancer.
Phases of a Clinical Trial for Cancer
Oncology trials typically progress through four main phases, each building on the previous one to ensure thorough evaluation. At VOA, eligible patients may have access to cancer clinical trials across all phases of research; although most of our work centers on Phases I through III, where the most critical questions about safety and effectiveness are addressed.
The following is a brief description of these four phases:
Phase I: Safety and dosage
Phase I trials primarily evaluate safety. Researchers determine how the treatment is processed in the body and identify a safe dose range while closely monitoring side effects. These studies usually involve a small group of participants.
Phase II: How well the treatment works
Phase II trials look at how effective a treatment is for a specific type of cancer. They continue to monitor safety but focus on whether the treatment helps shrink tumors or slow the disease. These trials typically involve a slightly larger group of participants.
Phase III: Comparison with the current standard of care
Phase III trials compare the new treatment with the current standard of care. They help determine whether the new therapy works better, has fewer side effects, or offers other advantages. These studies usually include several hundred participants.
Phase IV: Long-term monitoring after approval
Phase IV trials take place after the treatment has been approved. They evaluate long-term safety and effectiveness, including quality of life, side effects over time, and survival outcomes in broader patient populations.
Four Ways Cancer Patients Benefit from Clinical Trials
Before deciding whether a clinical trial is right for you, it helps to understand how participation may support both your treatment and your overall care experience. While every study is different, many patients find that trials offer meaningful advantages—not only in access to new therapies, but also in support, oversight, and contributions to future breakthroughs. Beyond potential benefits, patients also often wonder about costs and control. Here are some areas to consider before taking part in a clinical trial.
1. Early Access to the Latest Treatment Options for Cancer
Clinical trials often test promising new therapies that are not yet widely available. In most cases, participating in a clinical trial is the only way to receive these emerging treatments for a specific diagnosis. Trials may compare new therapies with standard treatments to learn which works best.
At VOA, many clinical trials are available locally through our Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina cancer centers, allowing patients to stay close to home rather than traveling long distances for access to advanced treatment options.
2. No Additional Costs to Participate in a Clinical Trial
Any study-specific costs, such as the cost of the investigational drugs or any non-standard tests or procedures, are often covered by the trial sponsor, and your insurance will typically cover all standard of care treatments, tests, etc. that would normally be covered regardless of your participation in a trial. While it doesn’t mean your entire treatment will be free, it does mean you won’t incur any additional costs than you would for standard treatment.
Your research team at VOA will review all costs with you in advance, helping you differentiate what costs are covered by insurance and which are paid by the trial, providing you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
3. You Are in Control of Your Cancer Treatment, Even When Participating in a Clinical Trial
Your participation in a clinical trial is voluntary throughout the entire process, and you may withdraw at any time without affecting your ongoing care. Before starting, your physician and a dedicated clinical research coordinator will thoroughly review the study details with you, including the treatment being tested, potential benefits, known risks and side effects, and what participation involves. You will then review and sign an informed consent document, which confirms your understanding and full agreement to participate. This process is designed to ensure you are well-informed, have ample opportunity to ask questions, and receive clear answers before making a decision.
4. Help Advance Treatments for Future Cancer Patients
When you participate in a clinical trial, you directly contribute to discoveries that may improve outcomes for future patients. Many advances in oncology that are commonly used today, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and precision medicine, exist because patients chose to participate in research. Today’s clinical trials form the foundation for tomorrow’s new treatment standards.
Are Clinical Trials Safe?
While every medical procedure and treatment carries inherent risks, several safeguards have been put in place to help protect patients undergoing treatment in a clinical trial setting. Some of these steps include federal laws mandating how clinical trials are conducted and what safety measures are put in place during and beyond treatment.
Each study has a written protocol, or study plan, defining the trial, who can participate, the total number of participants, and the plan of care that will be used for each patient. The protocol is carefully developed and reviewed by the Principal Investigator, who is also an oncologist, and the sponsoring organization. It is then reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure trial procedures are consistently carried out. This protocol is strictly followed by every doctor and team member who takes part in the study.
The IRB must also review and approve the trial from a safety standpoint. This board includes doctors, scientists, researchers, and average citizens to ensure participants are not exposed to unnecessary risks during a trial.
How Do I Find a Clinical Trial for My Type of Cancer?
At VOA, we make it easy to explore clinical trials through our partnership with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations. SCRI has contributed to pivotal research that has advanced the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA over the past decade. Thanks to this collaboration, we typically have dozens of open clinical trials available at any given time, covering a wide range of cancer types.
Our dedicated team at VOA is here to help you find a trial that may be a good match for your specific diagnosis and needs. Simply request an appointment with one of our oncologists and express your interest in clinical research. They will review your case and collaborate with our research team to see whether you may qualify for any ongoing trials at one of our locations, including Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.
Listen to our podcast episode to learn more: Cancer Research Close to Home: How Clinical Trials Shape the Future of Cancer Care
This episode of Cancer Care Connections explores how clinical trials for cancer at Virginia Oncology Associates offer patients access to innovative treatments close to home. We explain how clinical trials for cancer work, debunk common myths, highlight advances in cancer treatment resulting from clinical trials, such as personalized medicine and CAR-T therapy, and share advice for patients considering participation.
