Clinical trials provide hope for the hopeless. A North Carolina woman recently traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas for recommendations on her metastatic colon cancer, which had not responded to traditional treatment. Physicians there checked a database for clinical trials where she might access a promising yet experimental new drug. They found a trial with an open spot – back home, at Novant Health.
Novant Health is a leader in clinical research. Nearly 1,500 North Carolinians are involved in more than 300 clinical trials at Novant Health facilities across the state. Dr. Frank Chen, principal investigator of multiple clinical trials at the Novant Health Cancer Institute said, “Clinical trials allow us to access the drugs of tomorrow today.”
In this episode, Chen takes the mystery out of clinical trials by thoughtfully explaining what they are (including the different phases), and who is eligible to participate. He also answers the most common questions he receives from patients. At the end, Chen shares his thoughts on what the future holds for clinical research, and answers the question: Are we close to a cure?
