Clinical Trials are an essential component of cancer research and care. They are one of the main ways that discoveries made at the bench are translated and reach the general public. Clinical trials are large, systematic tests that identify if new treatments or treatment combinations actually work against cancer. Clinical trials are divided into different types, called phases. Phase I trials assess the general safety and tolerability of a new drug. Phase II trials test the efficacy of a new drug, while Phase III trials test the efficacy of a new drug in large groups of patients. Clinical trials are a great way for patients to get access to new, cutting-edge treatments. Patients and caregivers can look up clinical trials for their specific cancer types in their region using the US Government Clinical Trials Website. The clinically oriented LCRC partner institutions all have active cancer clinical trials. Tulane’s open clinical trials cover a number of different cancers including brain, breast, colorectal, leukemia, and prostate cancers. LSU Health is part of the Gulf South Clinical Trials Network. Ochsner also has active clinical trials. All of these LCRC partner institutions are committed to bringing the most cutting-edge cancer therapies to the New Orleans, Louisiana, and Gulf South region through participation in and administration of clinical trials.
The NCI Community Oncology Resource Program (NCORP) is a network of over 1,000 clinical trial sites across the United States. This program engages communities to bring advanced cancer care, education, screening, and trials to people all across the US. The program has a dedicated health disparities component and is committed to bringing advanced care and resources into traditionally underserved communities through its member sites. The LCRC is engaged with NCORP through member LSU Health, which is a member of the Gulf South Clinical Trials Network (Ochsner Health is also a part of the Gulf South Clinical Trials Network). This regional network focuses on the cancer needs and issues that are specific to our community here in Louisiana. The focus is on health disparities in the African American in cancer morbidity and mortality, including breast, lung, cervical, and prostate cancer. By expanding access to clinical trials across the region, NCORP and the Gulf South Trials Network are helping Louisiana beat cancer.
Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials, as their name suggests, originate with an investigator at an academic cancer research and treatment center. A physician or scientist can come up with an idea for cancer treatment, screening, or education. The study is then designed, and the protocol is approved and registered with the appropriate regulatory agencies. These trials allow our LCRC researchers and physicians to test the fruits of their research, offering cutting-edge cancer therapies and programs to Louisiana residents. To search for trials at Tulane, LSU Health/Gulf South Clinical Trials Network, or Ochsner, please follow the appropriate links.
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies use clinical trials to determine if their new cancer treatments work. These trials are one of the primary ways that Louisiana residents can gain access to the latest experimental treatments for often difficult to treat cancers. Often, LCRC partner institutions are but a part of larger, multi-center pharmaceutical trials. These trials also afford opportunities to ancillary medical care and follow-up as part of the trial. Additionally, because of the health disparities within Louisiana, it is often an attractive clinical trials site for companies that want to ensure that their new treatments are able to impact all parts of the patient population. To search for trials at Tulane, LSU Health/Gulf South Clinical Trials Network, or Ochsner, please follow the appropriate links.