Clinical Trials at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center

The University of Toledo Medical Center is home to physicians and scientists who work continuously on clinical trials to discover new ways of fighting cancer. These trials help us learn more about cancer as we explore new treatment options, drugs and devices to test their safety and efficacy.

In partnerships with national and international organizations, we're conducting current studies and have completed clinical trials investigating drugs and treatment for the following cancers:

• Bladder
• Blood
• Brain
• Breast
• Carcinoid
• Lung
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic
• Renal
• Skin

Clinical trials study cancer at many stages, including:

• Newly diagnosed
• Recurrent
• Screenings
• Systemic therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Survivorship

Should I enroll in a clinical trial?

The decision to enter a clinical trial at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center depends on a host of factors.

Not all patients qualify for trials. Talk with your physician about your particular cancer and whether there is a current clinical trial for it. Ask your physician and the team conducting the trial about:

• Benefits and risks
• How the trial could affect your daily life
• Extra costs
• Duration of the trial

Our researchers welcome your input and are happy to answer your questions. We want to make sure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Invite family and friends into the process. They may have experiences with clinical trials or be able to offer you different perspectives.

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials have the potential to find new methods of treating, diagnosing and preventing cancer. They also can discover ways to control symptoms of cancer and side effects from treatment.

Many of today's cancer treatments were developed from clinical trials, including:

• A vaccine that prevents cervical cancer
• A breast cancer drug that increases the remission rate
• New medications that help men with advanced prostate cancer live longer
• A new and powerful treatment for nausea, a common side effect of cancer treatment

Why should I participate in a clinical trial?

Patients in clinical trials have access to new drugs and treatments before they are available to the public. If the drug or treatment works, you may be among the first to benefit. You also have the chance to help other cancer patients as scientists test new methods of cancer management.

How is my health protected during a clinical trial?

First and foremost, your participation in a clinical trial is voluntary. Your consent can be withdrawn at any time. Your physician will closely monitor your health during the trial.

In addition, federal laws protect people from harm during their participation in clinical trials. If you ever feel uneasy or have questions, share these concerns with your physician.

Are there risks to participating in a clinical trial?

The risks depend on the medication or treatment being studied. Your physician will explain the known risks and watch you carefully for side effects.

Please remember that not all clinical trials result in effective medications and treatments. The drug or treatment being tested may not help you at all or may not benefit you any more than existing measures. As with anything in the testing phase, there are unknown risks and side effects.

How do I get involved in a clinical trial?

Ask your team at The Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center if you're eligible to participate in clinical trials. Since many trials require patient participation at the beginning of treatment, it's better to ask early than to delay.

If you would like more information about clinical trials and research studies at The Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center at the University of Toledo, please contact Danielle Mockensturm, danielle.mockensturm@utoledo.edu, 419.383.6925.

The above information is used with permission from the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University.