The search for good cancer treatments begins with basic research in laboratory and animal studies. The best results of that research are tried in patient studies, hopefully leading to findings that may help people. Before a new treatment is tried with patients, it is carefully studied in the laboratory. This research points out the new methods most likely to succeed, and as much as possible, shows how to use them safely and effectively. But this early research cannot predict exactly how a new treatment will work with patients.
Patients take part in clinical trials for many reasons.
Usually, they hope for benefits for themselves. They may hope for a cure of disease, a longer time to live, a way to feel better. Often they want to contribute to a research effort that may help others. The patients in a clinical trial are among the first to receive new research treatments before they are widely available. All patients in clinical trials are carefully monitored during a trial and followed up afterwards.