Cancer Clinical Trials: A Commonsense Guide to Experimental Cancer Therapies and Clinical Trials

by Tomasz M. Beer, Larry W. Axmaker

Cancer Clinical Trials is a comprehensive, no-nonsense, and readable guide for anyone who is considering therapeutic options in addition to standard cancer therapy. The book seeks to share knowledge about cancer clinical trials with people living with cancer, their families and loved ones. It will help readers decide if a clinical trial is a good option for them, to choose an appropriate trial, and to navigate through the clinical trial process. It includes lists of questions to ask, things to look for, things to watch out for, and places to look for information.

The book begins with a discussion of what cancer is and the many ways in which it is treated – including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and new strategies now in use or that will be available in the near future. It considers all aspects of clinical trials, including how they are designed, how to find and evaluate them, how to become a participant, and details of what they will involve in terms of time and commitment. A chapter on available drugs now used to treat cancer will be especially helpful.

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Caroline Yoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll first say that I was not the intended audience for this book. I am not a cancer patient but rather work with data in cancer clinical trials and wanted to get a better look at the clinical side of things and things from the patient’s perspective. I think this was a good introductory resource - it covered all the main points a patient should know when considering clinical trial participation, was relatively short at 144 pages, and overall was pretty readable.

I do think this book probably could have used a little more editing. There were certain segments that were a little confusing. The “Early Treatment Saves Lives: Three-Drug Chemotherapy Cocktail (CMF) Versus No Treatment” section in the “Clinical Trials That Have Changed Cancer Care” chapter is an example. The section title implies the section will be about CMF vs no treatment in breast cancer, but the authors bring up CMF then actually state “but now we can do better,” indicating that there are other options whose benefits outweighs either of the initial options presented, and then they do not elaborate on any other existing treatments (e.g., hormone therapy).

They go on to say “[…] as treatments have improved, they have been shown to benefit not only women whose cancer has already begun to spread by invading nearby lymph nodes, but also those whose risk of recurrence is not as high.” I may be missing something, but this sentence confused me - so they are saying treatments can benefit both more aggressive breast cancers and those that are lower risk? Is that the point of this sentence?

To make it even more confusing, the next sentence continues “Today, only women who have a low risk of relapse and a high probability of cure with surgery (sometimes followed by radiation) are treated without some form of adjuvant therapy.” So patients who have a lower risk of recurrence are both treated and not treated with adjuvant therapy?

Speaking of adjuvant therapy, when the authors first introduce the term, they are talking about drug cocktails then say “The drug combination approach, which is now called adjuvant therapy […]”. I think this is misleading. I could see this being interpreted as drug cocktails/combination of drugs being considered adjuvant therapy, when really it is therapy given in addition to a primary treatment (e.g., radiation or chemotherapy following a surgery). There is no mention of combination with surgery or radiation when they introduce the term. They do clarify this later, but still.

There are also some very minor errors scattered throughout like missing articles.

Something I think the authors do really well is reassuring the safety of clinical trial participation by walking through the scientific and ethical regulations that are in place and emphasizing how these regulations are overseen at multiple levels by multiple entities.

[Joalby Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a good friend recently diagnosed with cancer, I think it worked out perfectly that I had recieved this book through a Library Thing Giveaway prior to my friend being diagnosed. As soon as the diagnosis was made I went through and re-read the book and while he is currently going through chemotherapy and the nauseas & weight loss etc associated with that, I love the fact that when he is ready to talk I will have some insight as to the experimental therapy side of treatment.
Anyone who has or knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer should definitely take the time to read through this book. It allows us to be supportive and knowledgeable when discussing treatment and/or simply understanding the process of clinical trials and experimental treatment that our loved ones may or can be part of to aide in their recovery.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to clinical trials, written for cancer patients who are considering their treatment options. The authors, a physician/clinical cancer researcher and a former cancer patient, explain clinical trials and cancer treatments in plain English, without talking down to the reader. Highly recommended for all cancer patients and their loved ones.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book really helpful for understanding our options in pretty simple terms. Clarified and expanded on the info Oncologist provided. I found it really helpful. I just can't take everything in at an office visit