At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, we’re dedicated to advancing cancer care through groundbreaking research on preventing, diagnosing, and treating different types of cancer. Winship offers clinical trials for virtually every type of cancer at multiple locations in the Atlanta area, including the Emory Proton Therapy Center.
What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial gives researchers information about preventing, diagnosing and treating a condition with drugs, procedures, and other options. Patients who participate in clinical trials help create medical advances in:
- Drug therapy
- Proton therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgical procedures
Participation in clinical trials is voluntary. Patients enrolled in clinical trials often receive extra care coordination and attention from the clinical trials staff. When patients take part in a clinical trial, they help researchers find better treatments for others in the future, just as today’s patients benefit from the advancements in treatment that were made in past clinical trials.
What Do the Phases of Clinical Trials Mean?
Clinical trials happen in four phases necessary for FDA approval of a new treatment option. Those who enroll in a clinical trial will participate in one of these phases.
Phase I
Phase I clinical trials test new drugs, new combinations of two or more drugs, and devices or procedures. Researchers will determine how safe they are and look into the most effective doses. Side effects will also be tracked.
Phase II
Phase II clinical trials further evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a drug, device, or procedure. Researchers keep track of any medical benefits, as well as side effects.
Phase III
Phase III trials compare a new treatment or procedure with an existing, standard treatment or procedure to determine which works best. Evaluation of side effects and effectiveness continues.
Phase IV
Once a drug or procedure is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and made available to the public, researchers continue to study its safety to figure out the best use of the new treatment.
What Clinical Trials Are Available at the Emory Proton Therapy Center?
Talk with your doctor about whether you’re eligible to enroll in a proton therapy clinical trial. All patients are being asked to join a national proton therapy registry. The registry helps track patients long after their treatment ends to better understand the success rate and side effects of treatment. Participation in the proton therapy registry study allows physicians to maintain periodic long-term contact after treatment ends for patients who choose to participate, even if the patient is unable to return in person.
Proton therapy centers across the country share information gathered through the proton therapy registries in an effort to help clinical teams make better decisions about the type of treatments used for future patients.
About Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a prestigious distinction given to the top 3% of cancer centers nationwide for conducting cancer research and providing training that is transforming cancer care, prevention, detection and survivorship. Winship discovers, develops, delivers and teaches some of the world’s most effective ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat each patient’s unique cancer. Cancer care at Winship includes specialists with deep expertise and experience in cancer; multidisciplinary evaluation, treatment planning and care coordination that caters to each patient’s individual needs; therapies supported by the latest advances in cancer research; and comprehensive clinical trials and support services.
Emory Proton Therapy Center
The experienced physicians and specialists at the Emory Proton Therapy Center will work closely with you to develop the most effective treatment plan with the fewest potential side effects. If you want to learn more about proton therapy and the Emory Proton Therapy Center, visit winshipcancer.emory.edu/proton.
Patients, caregivers, and physicians with patients needing treatment can schedule a consultation with an Emory Proton Therapy Center professional by calling 1-833-3PROTON (1-833-377-6866) or visiting winshipcancer.emory.edu/proton to complete a form.
