Reflecting on the Vital Role of Research in Cancer Care

Reflecting on the Vital Role of Research in Cancer Care

By: Dr. David Spigel

As SCRI’s Chief Scientific Officer and a thoracic medical oncologist, it is my privilege to play a part in clinical research and to help people battling cancer. Today is Clinical Trials Day which gives us a dedicated moment to reflect on the vital role of research in care improvement. This annual moment is about providing hope through research and progressing scientific breakthroughs to bring to patients as safely and rapidly as possible. As part of my reflection this year, I am grateful to share the top questions I receive about this important element of cancer care and shine a light on the vital role of clinical trials.

Why are clinical trials important?

One of the most important aspects of clinical trials are the people participating in clinical research – their contributions pave the way for future therapies while also providing them with access to innovative options that may improve their care.

It is important to highlight that everything we do in medicine is grounded in scientific proof. When a molecule in the laboratory looks promising, it requires rigorous study before it can be approved for use or become a new standard of care.  Research helps uncover what works, what doesn’t, and what is best for patients.

What moments stand out as transformative to clinical trial research?

It’s an exciting and hopeful time in clinical research; and while there have been many recent advances, two broad areas continue to stand out – the development of immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Immunotherapies are designed to take advantage of a person’s own immune system to fight cancer and clinical studies have led to a wave of advances across nearly every disease setting over the past decade.  Immunotherapies are now routinely used for patients in the standard treatment of melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancers, and many others.  Advances like these speak to the power of clinical trials to revolutionize treatment paradigms – and to the untapped potential of the body’s own complex and robust innate ability to fight disease.

Pivotal studies over the past decade have also helped show that if you can identify people with specific genetic targets within their cancer, you may dramatically improve treatment approaches.  Drug development focused on molecular targets has accelerated over the last 2 decades, and continues to be a promising approach to pushing the field forward.

What would I say to someone facing a cancer diagnosis and considering a trial?

People facing a cancer diagnosis may be burdened with fear, confusion and uncertainty. It can be overwhelming to understand your specific cancer type and the available treatment options while navigating the complex issues that come with a cancer diagnosis.

There is a common misperception that to participate in a clinical trial is a last resort or that you may be given an ineffective (placebo) treatment.  Clinical trials are designed to build on treatments that are considered standard of care.  Participating in a clinical trial affords an opportunity to receive a therapy that is at least as good as what currently exists, or provides an option when there are no other standard options available.

Unfortunately, there is also a misperception that the latest developments in cancer treatment and research are only taking place at select centers around the country, and that to have access to research requires leaving home and a community of support.  SCRI’s mission is to make research of newer treatment options available to patients and their families in the communities where they live.

Clinical trials should be a part of every cancer care conversation, including initial treatment planning.

What needs to happen to overcome barriers to clinical trial access?

One of the greatest barriers is providing access to research.  Addressing issues of access lies at the heart of how SCRI started in over 30 years ago. We set forth with the ambitious plan to make cancer clinical trials accessible in the community.

Today, SCRI offers access to a robust clinical trial menu that investigates hundreds of unique agents each year. We have a presence in more than 250 locations in 24 states across the U.S. This expansive reach not only reduce geographical barriers to access, it is an important part of why our partners choose to work with us. We constantly strive to make clinical trial access easier and more equitable so people can have the latest in cancer care close to home, where they have the most support from families and friends.

What excites you the most about your work at SCRI?

We’re in a race to fight cancer – improving how we can effectively treat it, prevent it’s occurrence, and improve the lives of all who face a cancer diagnosis. This drives us every day at SCRI to expand our research programs as well as our work with industry partners and network physicians.  There is more hard work ahead, but together we will continue to make strides in this fight.