Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog
Mesothelioma specialists are working tirelessly to create new mesothelioma treatments. Specialists are working hard to develop new ways to prevent and detect mesothelioma. Currently, there are several treatment options available for mesothelioma that have already been tested in clinical trials and approved. A good number of prevention and detection methods for mesothelioma have also been tested in clinical trials and approved. Usually, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that a treatment option, prevention method, or detection method undergo three or four trial phases before it grants approval. This is because clinical trials are crucial in identifying effective and safe treatments, prevention methods, and detection methods. Current treatment options, detection methods, and prevention methods are the result of successful past clinical trials.
What are Mesothelioma Clinical Trials?
Generally, mesothelioma clinical trials include:
- Testing ways of preventing mesothelioma from occurring or recurring
- Testing new mesothelioma detection methods
- Testing methods for earlier identification of mesothelioma
- Testing new treatment options, including new approaches to standard treatment and new combinations of drugs
- Exploring ways to manage mesothelioma symptoms and the side effects of mesothelioma treatment
Mesothelioma clinical trials usually involve patients and can occur at a specific cancer center or different cancer centers across the U.S. and other countries.
Are Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Safe?
Mesothelioma clinical trials are highly regulated. Regulation is necessary to ensure patient safety and integrity of results. Usually, the federal government sets rules that must be adhered to during clinical trials. Additionally, every mesothelioma clinical trial is subject to an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Members of the IRB work to ensure that every trial participant is safe. However, this is not to say that mesothelioma clinical trials are 100% safe. Clinical trials come with risks. Usually, patients are told about the known risks of a clinical trial and then given a chance to decide if they are willing to take the risk.
Eligibility Factors of Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial can be an attractive option for a mesothelioma patient, especially one who is not responding to standard treatment. But, deciding you want to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial does not guarantee you a place in one. Before you can take part in a clinical trial, you have to meet specific eligibility criteria. Every clinical trial has its eligibility criteria. However, some of the common eligibility requirements in mesothelioma clinical trials include;
- Age greater than or equal to 18 years
- Confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis
- Specific previous treatment
- Specific cancer stage
- Specific mesothelioma type
- Sufficient performance status
Choosing a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial
Often, patients enroll in mesothelioma clinical trials at their doctor’s recommendation. Your doctor knows which clinical trial you may be eligible to join. So, if you have decided you would like to participate in a mesothelioma clinical trial, it would be best to speak to your doctor and let them guide you.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.