Cancer Clinical Trials
Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute is a leader in cancer research and clinical trials. Clinical trials help doctors find better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.
We offer many types of trials, including:
- Phase II–III and Phase II–IV trials
- Access to National Cancer Institute (NCI) trials through NCORP
- Trials for rare diseases and rare genetic conditions
- National and international research studies
- Early-stage trials, including Phase I trials and the SMMART trial
- Clinical research opportunities at all clinic locations
Why Join a Clinical Trial?
There are several possible benefits:
- Access to new treatments or medications not widely available
- Helping doctors learn more about cancer and improve treatment for others
- Taking an active role in your healthcare
Before you start, your care team will make sure you fully understand the risks and benefits.
What Happens During a Clinical Trial?
If you join a trial, you will be cared for by a team that may include:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Dietitians
- Other health professionals
They will closely monitor your health and progress.
Montana Cancer Consortium (MCC)
Saint Alphonsus is part of the Montana Cancer Consortium (MCC), a research group supported by the National Cancer Institute.
- MCC has 100+ active clinical trials
- More than 400 patients have participated
- Members include cancer specialists from Montana, northern Wyoming, and northern Idaho
Because of MCC, patients at Saint Alphonsus have access to more clinical trial options than usual.
View information about the various clinical trials here.
What Are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that involve volunteers. They are used to:
- Test if new treatments are safe and effective
- Find new uses for existing treatments
Clinical trials have helped create many important medical advances. However, it’s important to know that no one knows for sure if a new treatment will work.
Why Consider Volunteering?
You might consider joining if:
- You want access to a promising new treatment
- Standard treatments are not working
- You want to help future patients through research
What Are the Risks?
There are some risks to consider:
- The treatment may not work
- You might receive the standard treatment or a placebo (a pill with no active medicine)
- Side effects may be unknown or unexpected
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Before joining a trial, ask questions like:
- What is the purpose of the study?
- Who is running the study?
- What are the risks and benefits?
- What happens if I get hurt during the study?
- How will my privacy be protected?
You will receive an informed consent form with all the details. Important: You can leave a clinical trial at any time, for any reason.
Safety Protections
Every clinical trial in the U.S. must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
- This group includes doctors, scientists, and community members
- They make sure the study is as safe as possible
- They check that the benefits are worth the risks
Who Can Join a Clinical Trial?
Each trial has rules about who can take part, based on things like:
- Age
- Health status
- Medical history
Some trials are for people with certain conditions, while others look for healthy volunteers.
Where Can You Learn More?
You can find information about clinical trials at:
You can also talk to your oncologist to see if a clinical trial is right for you.