Wonder if I should consider a clinical trial for recurrence

EnglishGal said:

In reply
There are many other chemo options the way I understand it. See what your oncologists come up with and please keep us posted.

clinical trial considerations
Before you jump into a clinical trial, please educate yourself about the different phases that the trials go thru. In my opinion, the phase III trials are the best ones to join because most of the problems have been worked out already in the phase I and phase II trials (such as what is the optimum dosages to use and what are the main side effects to watch for).

All this being said, I would consider doing the phase I clinical trial for that "shrew venom" chemo that was discussed on this board over a month ago. That one is supposed to be enrolling subjects this fall and it sounds very promising.

Another thing to consider is that many of these clinical trials want someone who is in their first or second recurrence. In other words, the more chemo you do, the less eligible you become for a clinical trial. That is not true in all cases but in many cases. So if you opt NOT to do a clinical trial, you may have excluded yourself from being eligible for one in the future (as I understand this is your second recurrence).

Usually, the clinical trial involves using chemo that has already been proven to work PLUS a targeted-therapy agent. Most other cancers are treated with combination chemo "cocktails" and it appears to me that these ovarian cancer clinical trials are looking for such a combination cocktail that will work better than the standard of care which we are currently offered.


Best wishes to you,

Carolen

Hi Barneygirl
Hi, I'm so sorry about your recent recurrence, I know it is very discouraging when you get information as to a recurrence. A clinical trial is worth pursuing but if it were me, I'd pursue a Phase 2 or 3. If you are considering a clinical trial, I'd suggest you discuss it with your doctor and find one before you go on any other chemos, because, once a person does multiple chemos, they become ineligible for clinical trials. I recently found this out. I really don't think this is fair but I guess companies that sponsor clinical trials want people that will do well. I don't know, it's just the way it works. Anyway, good luck with your decision and I wish you well.