Clinical Trials & Research

Advancing Cancer Care through Clinical Trials

Today, clinical trial research is no longer conducted exclusively at large university cancer centers or major metropolitan hospitals. Illinois Cancer Specialists has embraced clinical trial research as a critical component of community-based care for patients with cancer or blood disorders. 

At Illinois Cancer Specialists, we are dedicated to finding new and better ways to treat cancer through research and clinical trials. We offer clinical trials through Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. SCRI has contributed to pivotal research that has led to the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA today. We also offer trials have access to clinical trials directly through Pharmaceutical trials, and via our affiliation with the National Cancer Institute’s CTSU program.

Participating in these clinical trials also allows us to provide valuable access to new investigational cancer agents to people right here in our community. Our patients are able to access state-of-the-art investigational therapies, while their own physician directs and closely monitors their care.  Patients are able to remain at home near family and loved ones.

Furthermore, our research network is also looking toward the future by developing initiatives in “personalized” or “individualized” medicine. These types of clinical trials offer the potential to recommend drug treatment based on an individual’s genetic background.

If you would like more information, you may speak to your physician about the available clinical trials.

Understanding Clinical Trials - Illinois Cancer Specialists

Process

Clinical trials are designed by physicians and researchers and are conducted according to strict scientific and ethical principles. Before the study begins, a protocol is developed describing what will be done in the study, how it will be conducted and why each part of the study is necessary. This research protocol is reviewed by third party experts to make sure that study is conducted fairly and that patients are well-informed of their rights.  Each study has eligibility criteria for who can or cannot participate in the study, which may include type of cancer, age, gender, medical history and current health status.

Please call us for an up-to-date list of trials currently being held at our practice, also available here, or you may search clinical trials offered through Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). Filters are available by disease type and zip code.