Clinical Trial potential.

So after reviewing the Clinical Trial information and meeting with the Clinical Trial Nurse I have decided to volunteer as a participant.  So far I am a good candidate for the trial though some final testing is required to qualify and complete enrollment.  The testing is in progress as you read this.   Another CT Scan has been scheduled for next week

Now what is the clinical trial all about you may ask?

The trial is intended to gather data and compare the results of 2 medications when combined with the FOLFIRI and FU5 treatments (which were already prescribed to me).  There are 2 complimenting drugs to this treatment, Avestatin (A) which was mentioned in a previous post and Cetuximab (C), not yet approved by Health Canada.  One or the other will included as part of the treatment and results compared from all across North America using 2900 subjects.  Deciding which subjects receive which complimenting drug is used will be randomly decided through an automated computer program, the doctors nor I can choose. (we are hoping for the C regiment as I can receive the A treatment afterwards as well - but not the other way around)  As treatment is being administered monitoring and testing is going to be very thorough and some additional testing.  The trial  results will take 8-10 years and they will be monitoring me for up to 5 years.

Now the benefits of the study?

Taking part may or may not have a direct benefit to me getting better.  There is hope these additional treatments will have a positive effect compared to the standard treatment, though there is no proof yet.  Being able to help provide data and information for researchers to help with future treatments of patients is the real benefit.  I can only hope that my unfortunate diagnosis will help someone else in a similar situation down the road.    There may even be other doors open for additional trials or treatments.  You never know.

I am excited to take part and finally feel there is something positive to come from this process.

Keep smilin everyone.  Sunny days ahead.

Coming soon: J-TEAM (insert A-TEAM theme song) Relay for Life updates.


Jason