"There are many lists of cancer clinical trials taking place in the United States. Some trials are funded by nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. government. Others are funded by for-profit groups, such as drug companies. Hospitals and academic medical centers also sponsor trials conducted by their own researchers. Because of the many types of sponsors, no single list contains every clinical trial."
Learn about these different types of clinical trial database lists — from the U.S. government, cancer centers/clinics, drug and biotechnology companies, clinical trial listing services, and cancer advocacy groups — in NCI's "Steps to Find a Clinical Trial."
"ClinicalTrials.gov, a resource provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, is a registry and results information database of clinical research studies sponsored or funded by a broad range of public and private organizations around the world."
"Information is provided by study sponsors and investigators, and they are responsible for ensuring that the studies follow all applicable laws and regulations."
From National Cancer Institute
"If you decide to look for a clinical trial, you will need to know certain details about your cancer diagnosis and compare these details with the eligibility criteria of any trial that interests you. If you need help filling out the form, talk with your doctor, a nurse, or social worker at your doctor's office. [...] Fill out this Cancer Details Checklist as completely as possible before you start looking for a clinical trial."
From National Cancer Institute
"NCI's Cancer Information Service provides accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information that is easy to understand and free of charge. Our trained information specialists provide personalized responses to a range of cancer questions, including tailored clinical trials searches." Free assistance also available in Spanish. [Note: The ClinicalTrials.gov database also contains all the NCI-supported clinical trials, which are those sponsored or otherwise financially supported by the National Cancer Institute.]
From U.S. National Library of Medicine
How to Fill Out the Search Fields
Instructions on "how to use search," "how to use advanced search," and "how to modify a search" on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Glossary of Common Terms
"Glossary will help you understand words and phrases frequently used on ClinicalTrials.gov. Many of these words are also used by clinical researchers and others in the same or a similar manner."
The terms Eye Melanoma, Ocular Melanoma, and Intraocular Melanoma are used interchangeably by physicians. However, a different number of trials will show depending on which of these terms is used. Be sure to try each of them, but only one at a time, in the "condition or disease" field when searching for trials.
There are also more specific medical terms that you will want to try based on the location of the tumor in the eye:
From National Cancer Institute
Topics include:
(See additional pages on these topics by clicking on the "+" sign next to each topic in the left-hand column of the guide.)
From U.S. National Library of Medicine
Topics include:
From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Office for Human Research Protections provides a printable list of "questions that will help you get the information you need to decide whether to volunteer to participate in a research study" and provides "short videos that help potential research volunteers understand how research works." Also available in Spanish.
"Sometimes called 'compassionate use,' expanded access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or life-threatening disease or condition to try an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when there are no comparable or satisfactory therapies available. [...] There are times when it is not possible for a patient to be a part of a clinical trial. In those circumstances, expanded access may be the only way for a patient to receive an investigational medical product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is committed to increasing awareness about the expanded access process."
New information added to this webpage: June 11, 2021
Hyperlinks on this webpage most recently re-verified: June 5, 2021
Email: Erica@EyeMelanoma.org
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