How do I find clinical trials for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Finding Clinical Trials for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Great question! Clinical trials can be an important treatment option to discuss with your care team. Here's what you need to know about finding them:

Where to Search for Clinical Trials

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Patients, there are several reliable resources:

1. National Cancer Institute (NCI)

• Visit cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/search
• This is the official U.S. government database where you can search by cancer type, location, and stage
• Allows you to filter specifically for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer trials

2. NCCN Cancer Centers

• Visit NCCN.org/cancercenters
• Search for trials available at National Comprehensive Cancer Network member institutions
• These are leading cancer centers across the country

3. Worldwide Resources

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine also maintains clinical trial information
• International trials may be available through ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) if you're outside the U.S.

What You Should Know About Clinical Trials

How trials are organized:

• Phase I trials study the dose, safety, and side effects of a new drug or treatment
• Phase II trials study how well the drug works against your type of cancer
• Phase III trials test the new drug against standard treatment—if results are good, it may be FDA-approved
• Phase IV trials study long-term safety and benefits of FDA-approved treatments

Eligibility matters: Every clinical trial has specific rules for joining (called "eligibility criteria"). These may include your age, cancer stage, previous treatments, or general health. These requirements ensure participants are similar in important ways and that the trial is as safe as possible.

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist

According to NCCN Guidelines, you should actively discuss clinical trials with your care team:

1. Do you recommend that I consider a clinical trial for treatment?
2. How do I find clinical trials that I can participate in?
3. What are the treatments used in the clinical trial?
4. What are the risks and benefits of this treatment?
5. What side effects should I expect and how will they be managed?
6. How long will I be in the clinical trial?
7. Will I be able to get other treatment if this doesn't work?
8. How will you know if the treatment is working?
9. Will the clinical trial cost me anything?

Important Facts About Clinical Trials

• No cost to enroll — The study sponsor pays for research-related costs, including the study drug
• You may have indirect costs — Transportation or childcare for extra appointments may be your responsibility
• Placebos are rare — Placebos (inactive medicines) are almost never used alone in cancer clinical trials. You'll typically receive either a placebo WITH standard treatment or a new drug WITH standard treatment
• You can leave anytime — You can withdraw from a clinical trial at any time and seek treatment outside the trial
• Standard care continues — During the trial, you'll continue to receive standard cancer care, which is billed to your insurance

Don't Wait—Start the Conversation

The NCCN Guidelines emphasize: Don't wait for your care team to bring up clinical trials. Start the conversation yourself and learn about all your treatment options. If you find a study you may be eligible for, ask your treatment team if you meet the requirements.

If you've already started standard treatment, you may not be eligible for certain clinical trials, but new trials are always becoming available, so don't be discouraged.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.