Frequently Asked Questions About Early-Phase Clinical Trials

If your child is taking part in a Phase I or Phase II study, the medication must be given at the office where the study doctor takes care of patients.

Yes, you may withdraw your child from the study at any time. Taking part in a clinical trial is always voluntary. The study doctor or sponsor of the study may also withdraw your child from the study at any time if they determine it is no longer safe for your child to take part in the study.

Every trial is different and may have set up a different timeframe that a patient may take part in the study. Usually your child may take part in the trial as long as your child's cancer does not grow or spread, and as long as there are no bad side effects.

This is a very personal decision. Discuss this with the study doctor, nurse or social worker to help guide you through the process. The study team will be available at all times to support families and patients on study.

Again, this is a very personal decision. The study doctor, nurse and social worker are great resources to help guide you through the process.

More than likely this answer will be "no." The trial that your child is taking part in will state if this is possible.

More than likely this answer will be "no." The trial that your child is taking part in will state if this is possible. The concern will be if the alternative medicine would interact or interfere with the trial medication.

Any test or procedure that is done to care for your child that would normally be done to practice safe care for a child with cancer will be charged to your insurance company. If the trial is requesting any special tests or procedures, they are usually paid for by the trial sponsor. The study medicines are usually paid for by the sponsor also. We encourage you to meet with one of the hospital’s financial counselors if you have any questions about the possible costs.

Some trials will ask for extra blood work to be drawn during the trial. The extra blood work usually cannot be obtained from the same IV or central line that the study medication is given, therefore sometimes your child will need an extra IV. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to discuss this with the study team.

Your study doctor and nurse will discuss the events and procedures with you in detail before starting the study, usually over several visits. More than likely, study visits will be like regular clinic visits with a few extra tests at the start of the study.

When your child has completed taking part in the study, the study doctor will continue to follow your child's care for at least a month. This could be longer if your child has a serious illness that needs to be followed for an additional period of time. You will go back to your regular doctor for your child's care once the study is complete, unless there is another study option for your child.

This is a very personal choice. Your study doctor will discuss with you all the details about the trial to assist you in making the decision. This decision is an ongoing process and the study team will be available to you at all times.

Learn more about the Experimental Therapeutics Program.