Clinical trials

Some patients may have the option to join a clinical trial, also known as a research study. Clinical trials help improve outcomes for patients—helping them live longer, healthier lives.

Clinical trials can also help doctors make important discoveries for future patients. A clinical trial is a way to gather information about how well a specific treatment or test for a disease works and what the side effects could be. Some trials are done to learn how well a new medicine works. Others are done to see if one treatment works better than another. Other trials look at a new test to see if it helps doctors better care for patients.

When a medicine or treatment is part of a clinical trial it doesn’t always mean it’s unproven or has never been tested, but in some cases that may be true.

Clinical trials may:

• Look at a new use for a well-understood medicine that’s given for other purposes
• Test 2 different but well-known ways to do transplant to see if one is better than the other
• Study the side effects and safety of a new treatment
• See if a new test helps doctors diagnose complications earlier

Talk with your doctor about clinical trials before you join a study. Joining a clinical trial won't affect your quality of care. Your doctor and health care team will take good care of you whether or not you decide to join a clinical trial.

If you have the option to join a clinical trial, your doctor or research nurse will tell you about:

• Who is doing the study
• Purpose of the study (what they're trying to learn)
• What the treatment and tests are
• The risks and benefits
• Other treatment options available to you
• Your rights as a patient

Make sure you ask questions so you understand the clinical trial process. If you decide to join the trial, the doctor or research nurse will talk to you about the process and ask you to sign a consent form (agreement). You will never be part of a clinical trial without your signed agreement.

You may have to travel to a different hospital or clinic to join a clinical trial. If you're concerned about the cost of travel to join a trial, you may qualify for financial assistance from the Drs. Jeffrey and Isabel Chell Clinical Trials Travel Grant. Learn more about the grant.

Through our research collaboration program, CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®), our NMDP Patient Support Center works with researchers to share easy-to-read summaries of some research studies.

Research conducted through CIBMTR has a significant impact on the survival and quality of life of thousands of transplant and cell therapy patients. The easy-to-read summaries of CIBMTR research give you and your family access to useful information that can help you talk with your doctor about treatment options.

Always talk with your doctor about what research study results might mean for you. For help understanding the research study summaries, contact the NMDP Patient Support Center at 1 (888) 999-6743 or patientinfo@nmdp.org.