CLINICAL TRIALS A clinical trial is an investigation of an experimental treatment to see if it is safe to use and effective in fighting a disease, such as prostate cancer.
Advanced Prostate Cancer Advanced prostate cancer is typically treated with systemic therapies. Systemic therapies refers to any type of treatment that targets or travels through the entire body. These include: Hormone Therapy Also called ADT, lowers the testosterone level in a man’s body. Because prostate cancer cells use testosterone as fuel, ADT starves the tumor cells. Hormone therapies cannot kill prostate cancer, but can extend survival. Hormone therapy may be used in combination with other treatments. Immunotherapy Stimulates the immune system to kill cancer cells in men with advanced prostate cancer. Targeted Therapy Identifies, or “targets”, a particular genetic mutation in the tumor, with the goal of interfering with the specific molecules that drive the growth of the tumor. A targeted therapy approach is a form of personalized cancer treatment and is often associated with fewer side effects than other treatments. Radiopharmaceuticals Given through a vein to men with metastatic prostate cancer that has spread widely to the bone. Chemotherapy Uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs are usually given into a vein (intravenously) with a needle. This treatment is routinely given at a clinic or doctor’s office. Some chemotherapy drugs may be given as a pill. One local therapy that may be used to treat advanced prostate cancer is radiation. Radiation Uses high-energy rays to relieve pain from bone metastases and may also be used in combination with hormone therapy. It is important to work with your doctors to make informed decisions about your care. Learn about all treatment options, including clinical trials, and understand the possible side effects of each treatment.
CLINICALTRIALS EVALUATE:
New drugs & medicines
New combinations of treatments
New approaches to surgery or radiation therapy
New methods such as gene therapy
All clinical trials vary depending on the objective of the test. However, placebos are almost never used in cancer treatment trials.
Clinical trials follow strict guidelines and are highly controlled and regulated to provide the best protection to participants. A clinical trial consists of at least two groups depending upon the study protocol. A study protocol is a plan that describes the schedule of tests, procedures, medications and dosages, and the length of the study. One group of patients will receive the experimental drug or treatment and the other group of patients will receive either the standard of care or a placebo which has no therapeutic value. However, placebos are almost never used in cancer treatment trials. Clinical trials are highly controlled and regulated. They are typically sponsored by pharmaceutical or biotech companies, the federal government, medical institutions, or private foundations. All treatments used today for prostate cancer are available because of past clinical trials and thanks to past clinical trial participants.
PROSTATE CANCER 101
PROSTATE CANCER 101
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