These can be used alone or in combination. A new area of cancer treatment is immunotherapy, which involves giving the body substances that boost the immune system to fight the cancer. Most clinical trials are carried out in steps called phases. Each phase is designed to find out the answers to specific questions about the treatment. Patients may be eligible to take part in studies in different phases depending on their general condition, t he type and stage of their cancer, and what therapy, if any, they have already had.
Doctors examine patients in clinical trials frequently to evaluate their response to treatment.
Treatment is always stopped if any side effects cause unreasonable discomfort or harm. I studies are designed to establish how safe and effective a new treatment may be. In a phase I study, a new treatment is given to a small number of patients. Initially, doctors give patients a very low dose of the new drug. The amount of the drug given is slowly increased as new patients enter the trial.