Clinical Trials
Our commitment is to offer cutting-edge novel approaches for the treatment, recovery, and the advancement of oncology.
Highly qualified and trained in GCP, ICH, & FDA regulations, our practice has over several years of clinical research experience and a combined total experience of over three decades amongst our clinical research team. Our experienced clinical research physicians can advise you on if a clinical trial is right for you. In addition, we have a certified clinical research coordinator on staff who is available to answer any questions and coordinate your clinical trial visits.
As of 2020, Cancer Center of Middle Georgia became an affiliate clinical research site of Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC).
Clinical Research Physicians (Principal Investigators) of Augusta University coordinate directly with us in order to open phase 2-4 clinical trials here at CCMG for our patients. This gives us the privilege of continuing to keep our commitment to offer cutting-edge novel approaches and treatments options for our patients close to home.
Inquire with your Physician or Research Coordinator if you are interested in finding out more about ongoing available clinical trials.
FAQs
Clinical trials are research studies where new methods are found to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. All patients must go through a screening process to see if they meet all eligibility criteria prior to enrolling in a clinical trial.
Every clinical trial must be approved and monitored by the Institutional Review Board to make sure that the risks of participating in a trial are as low as possible and that they are worth the potential benefits. The IRB periodically reviews our site to ensure that we are qualified to conduct research. GCP, ICH, and FDA guidelines are followed in order to ensure good clinical practice and patient safety.
- You may gain access to a new drug prior to it being approved or widely available.
- You will be taking an active role in your own healthcare.
- You will be very closely monitored by your Physician and Coordinator as they record all possible side effects of the study drug.
- You will be making a valuable contribution to cancer research for future treatments and patients.
- You will have 24/7 access to an on-call nurse and physician.
- Sometimes a clinical trial can involve additional care and attention such as additional doctor’s visits, phone calls, treatments etc.
- The treatment may not work for everyone.
- The treatment may cause side effects.
- Risks are specific to the kind of trial you are participating in and they are described in the consent form of every trial. Your clinical research coordinator will go over these risks with you.
Clinical trials are a great option for patients who are looking for a different or novel way to treat a specific type of cancer or patients who have failed previous lines of therapy.
A placebo is a pill or other substance that has no therapeutic effect. Many people worry about being selected for placebo in a clinical trial, however only a small fraction of clinical trials use placebos. If a clinical trial involves a placebo you will be notified prior to consent so that you can make a decision if you want to participate in the risk that you may receive a placebo. You would only be considered for a placebo trial if it was considered safe and medically appropriate by your physician. Your chances of receiving a placebo will be explained to you as a basic statistical concept, such as “the flipping of a coin” for a 50-50% chance.
A sponsor is an individual, institution, company or organization that takes the responsibility to initiate, manage or finance a clinical trial.
Patient financial responsibility in a clinical trial varies. In some cases, participating in a clinical trial has no additional cost to the patient. Usually if the patient is being administered a product that has not been approved yet by the FDA, the sponsor or author of the drug will supply the drug at no cost. If the drug has been approved by the FDA and is on the market, then most likely it will be billed under your insurance and you will be responsible for the remaining cost. Some clinical trials require additional visits to your doctor and the sponsor will compensate for these costs. Your clinical research coordinator and financial counselor will explain your financial responsibility to you if you are interested in participating as it applies to the specific trial you are participating in.
Yes. You can discontinue participating in a clinical trial at any time for any reason. At that time your physician will continue to treat you and your standard of care will not change.