Chemotherapy clinical trials question

[FrankieCrabs]

Hello.

A friend of mine has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Now, after her surgery, her doctors are suggesting that in addition to her standard treatment, she should also participate in a clinicla trial. The cancer has spread to 7 lymph nodes. Does anyone have experience with clinical trials, esp. those related to cancer? She is considering one of them, but also doesn't exactly like the idea of being a guinea pig. Standard chemo treatment is difficult enough already. :thumbdn:

The standard treatment consists of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel. The clinical test is divided into three groups. The first group receives the standard treatment listed above. The second group receives paclitaxel along with the standard treament. The third group receives paclitaxel and gemcitabine, along with the standard treament.

The first group [standard treatment only] is administered treatment once every three weeks, for a total of six visits over an eighteen week period.

The second group receives their treatment once every two weeks, for a total of four visits. However, the dosages administered are higher than the standard treatment. Then, the paclitaxel [175 mg/m2] is given for four additional visits, once every two weeks.

The third group receives their treatment just as the second group, but with the addition of gemcitabine. Then, the paclitaxel and gemcitabine is given for four additional visits, once every two weeks.

Thanks for your help,
Frank

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Do you know what the two additional drugs are? Are they a chemo drug or a immune depressant or a antibiotic, etc? I guess it comes down to how intense the drugs are, your friends diagnosed outlook, and her willingness to help future cancer patients. From what I understand, clinical trials are normally started because there is past data showing there could be an increase in favorable outcomes. So a better outlook is always good but again they are doing it because it is for the most part, unknown. If she is in good condition and they expect her to pull thru easily then she may just want to go the known route and get it over with and get back to her life. Clinical trials are how standard treatments are formed so by doing it she might be helping herself and people in the future. At one point, the standard treatment she is being offered was a clinical trial for someone. Its a really hard decision to make and while she should listen to the dr's she might also benefit talking to another hospital because those dr's are also wanting to try their clinical trial and hopefully shape future treatment options. I do speak from personal experience in that its not an easy choice.

I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease 2.5 yrs ago and went to two hospitals (NIH, and John Hopkins) out of state to hear about different options they were offering from the standard treatment. NIH was basically the standard treatment but with one of the drugs administered for a longer time and one with a different treatment schedule if I remember correctly. The other was a high dose chemo (cyclophosphamide) which was suppose to be more dangerous at first but offer a more durable treatment (the others did not use chemo). Since I am young, a long lasting option is important to me so I went with the John hopkins treatment and received chemo almost exactly 2 yrs ago. It was a very hard decision but it was one that I just had a gut feeling to go with. So far so good. So I guess I didnt help much but I guess this is basically my advise. Read as much as you can about it. Try to understand the mechanics (I guess physiology is correct) of the treatments. Ask many questions especially about why they are conducting the trial and what they expect the outcome to be. Also, get a second, third, even fourth opinion. I met some very carrying people in my journey, but I met some real idiots as well. If something doesnt feel right, speak up, if something doesnt make since, ask a question. Its your life (well your friends) and while the Dr's are there to help, they have bad days just like every one else and it is your responsibility to watch out for yourself. As for you, try to visit and talk with her thru the ordeal as much as possible. Its amazing how important it is to have people there and keep you in good spirits. I think being strong mentally is very important and having people there to keep you happy and positive is quite helpful. Ok I'll stop rambling now...Im sure I didnt help much but if you by chance have any questions just ask or shoot me an email. Im sure everything will work out for the best as medical care is improving daily.

Ryan