Cervical cancer is a cancer that grows on the surface of the cervix. It slowly develops from persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. “Cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, and more than 14,000 Americans develop cervical cancer each year,” says Joshua G. Cohen, MD, FACOG, FACS, the Medical Director of Gynecologic Cancer at City of Hope Orange County.
According to research, while 85 percent of Black women report receiving cervical cancer screening, Black women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer, are more likely to be in the advanced stages, and have a higher mortality (death) rate than white women.
Although cervical cancer is curable in the early stages, clinical trials can help advance diagnostic and treatment methods for patients and healthcare providers.
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What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are studies facilitated by researchers that test new medical interventions on people with varying medical conditions, such as cervical cancer. “They can be the best way to get the most advanced, leading-edge treatment, providing lifesaving benefits to patients participating in them,” Dr. Cohen explains.
There are four phases of a clinical trial. These include:
- Phase I: Researchers test out a medical drug or treatment among a small group of patients (usually 20 to 80) for the first time. This aims to study the medical intervention and detect any adverse side effects.
- Phase II: According to Dr. Cohen, this phase involves a larger group of patients (between 100 and 300), and researchers are examining the treatment’s effectiveness and further examining its safety and side effects.
- Phase III: At this phase, the drug or treatment is given to a significantly larger group of patients (1,000 to 3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, continue monitoring side effects, compare it to other standard or similar treatments, and collect information that allows the intervention to be safely used.
- Phase IV: Once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the drug or treatment, it is made available to the public. Researchers monitor its safety and gather more data about its benefits and optimal use for the general population.
Benefits of Participating in Clinical Trials for Cervical Cancer
Joining a clinical trial can provide several benefits, such as access to the latest treatments, participation in new research developments, free or reduced healthcare, and more.
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Here’s a deeper look at the potential benefits of joining a cervical cancer clinical trial:
- Access to new treatments: “Patients get access to new, leading-edge cancer treatments for their particular cancer while being closely monitored by their doctors,” Dr. Cohen says.
- Contributing to new cancer research: By participating in clinical trials, you are part of advancing cancer research and medical knowledge. Clinical trials can potentially lead to significant breakthroughs in cervical cancer treatments and improve survival rates.
- Free or low-cost healthcare: Typically, you won’t have to pay for medical drugs or treatments during clinical trials, as the research team covers these costs. There may be a chance that you need to cover travel expenses, such as transportation and hotel stay. Still, clinical trial therapies aren’t much more expensive for most patients than traditional treatments.
- Ability to help others: By joining a clinical trial, you get early access to potentially life-changing therapies and contribute to science that can pave the way for others living with cervical cancer.
Types of Clinical Trials for Cervical Cancer
Several ongoing clinical trials are testing a variety of medical interventions for different stages of cervical cancer, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy.
Here’s a look at a few of these clinical trials being conducted across the country:
Immunotherapy involves the use of your immune system to fight cancer cells. Precigen, Inc. is collaborating with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on a study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a combination immunotherapy—PRGN-2009 and pembrolizumab—for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses strong chemicals to kill or slow fast-growing cancer cells. The Mayo Clinic is currently running a study to see how well cisplatin and triapine—two types of chemotherapy drugs—work with radiation therapy compared to cisplatin and standard radiation therapy for patients with stage IB2, II, or IIIB-IVA cervical cancer.
A laparoscopic radical hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgery that removes the uterus and cervix. It can be a suitable treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. The GOG Foundation is facilitating a randomized controlled trial that compares the survival rates for patients who receive robotic-assisted laparoscopy versus open hysterectomy and lymph node assessment for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer.
Find a Clinical Trial
Several online resources are also available to help you find clinical trials near you. Here are some that share information on current cervical clinical trials:
- BlackDoctor.org’s Clinical Trial Resource Center for Black Americans
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- American Cancer Society’s Clinical Trials Matching Service
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- ResearchMatch
- EmergingMed’s Clinical Trial Navigation Service
- Karmanos Cancer Institute
- Foundation for Women’s Cancer
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
Please discuss the options with your oncologist to determine if participating in a clinical trial is right for you.
Considerations for Participation
Before signing up for a clinical trial for cervical cancer, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks that can come with it.
“A person may experience unpleasant side effects, and the treatments may not ultimately prove effective,” Dr. Cohen explains. “Also, participation will involve traveling to a hospital or cancer center for multiple visits over time.”
However, rest assured that the research team prioritizes your health and safety for the duration of the trial. “Trials are rigorously designed and conducted, with patient safety top of mind,” Dr. Cohen says. “Patients get excellent attention and are carefully monitored and cared for.”
Final Thoughts
Clinical trials are necessary for learning new ways to treat cervical cancer. These trials could lead to medical advances that can reduce the side effects of treatment or increase the survival rates for patients with recurrent or latter-stage cervical cancer. But, researchers can’t make these discoveries without the help of volunteers living with the disease.
Choosing to participate in a clinical trial is a significant step in your treatment journey and a selfless act that contributes to the continuous fight against cervical cancer.
