Why Consider a Clinical Trial?

Cancer clinical trials can be a treatment option for many patients at some point in the care continuum. Clinical research in multiple myeloma has become a robust field, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) website lists over 1,000 clinical trials. Clinical trials offer access to new and innovative treatments that may not be available otherwise. By participating in a myeloma clinical trial, you can:

• Potentially benefit from emerging therapies.
• Contribute to advancing myeloma research.
• Help future patients with myeloma.

It's important to discuss the benefits and risks of clinical trials with your doctor to determine if they're right for you.

When Are Clinical Trials Undertaken?

Before a clinical trial begins, the new treatment undergoes extensive testing in the laboratory to ensure it has the potential to be both effective and safe. These studies help researchers understand how the treatment works and identify any potential side effects before it's tested in humans. 

Clinical trials involve different phases — Phase I involves a very small group of people, while phase IV tracks the long-term effectiveness of a treatment after it's been approved for wider use.

Why Are Clinical Trials Conducted? 

Clinical trials are conducted to improve the lives of myeloma patients. They help researchers:

• Determine if a new treatment is more effective than existing treatments.
• Evaluate if the new drug or treatment has fewer or less harmful side effects than existing treatments
• Discover better ways to manage and treat varying conditions.

When Should You Participate in a Clinical Trial? 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve potential new therapies for myeloma. Clinical trials can offer these new therapies. In clinical trials, researchers do not know if the new method will be better than standard therapy for patients who are currently being treated. Yet, researchers do know that some clinical trials will result in better treatments for patients in the future.  

Taking part in a clinical trial is voluntary. The IMF advises you to discuss clinical trial options in depth with your physician and healthcare team. Before agreeing to participate, learn about the possible risks of the therapy being studied. Also, consider what other options for treatment are available. 

What Are the Criteria to Be Eligible for a Clinical Trial?  

Patients must meet certain conditions and requirements to be deemed suitable for clinical trials. When all study subjects meet the same eligibility criteria, it provides researchers with consistent data needed to answer the question of the study.  

Eligibility requirements are based on the type of clinical trial. Examples of eligibility may include:  

• Age 
• Performance status
• Type and stage of illness 
• Certain medical tests 
• Laboratory results 
• Other illnesses 
• Past treatments received 

The eligibility criteria for each clinical trial have two sections — inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria determine who may participate in the clinical trial. Exclusion criteria are conditions that determine if a patient cannot participate in a study. Both the inclusion and exclusion criteria are a vital part of the research plan to get credible and consistent results.  

What Is Informed Consent?  

Informed consent is the process that requires a doctor to give a patient enough information about a procedure, strategy, or clinical trial. This information includes the following issues: 

• Risk of the trial 
• Benefits of the trial 
• Alternatives to the trial 
• Potential costs of the trial  

Patients must receive this information to decide whether to consent to the proposed treatment. 

How to Find a Clinical Trial for Multiple Myeloma?

The IMF has launched an exciting new tool for myeloma patients — the IMF Clinical Trials Matching Engine, in partnership with SparkCures. This innovative platform makes it easier than ever for patients, care partners, and healthcare providers to find personalized, location-based clinical trials tailored to their needs. The clinical trials matching engine simplifies searching for clinical trials while empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care. 

Sign up for a Multiple Myeloma Drug Trial

Clinical trials drive progress in multiple myeloma treatments, offering access to innovative therapies that may improve outcomes. Participating in these trials, you help advance research while exploring options for your own care. Use our clinical trials matching engine to take an active role in the future of myeloma treatment.

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