By studying new ways to fight cancer, clinical trials can bring hope to patients with limited options. Clinical trials help develop breakthroughs in how we treat, diagnose, screen and prevent every type of cancer. 

At Loma Linda University Cancer Center, you have access to more open cancer trials than anywhere else in the region. Our center is one of 29 in the country recognized by the National Cancer Institute as a leader in clinical trials.

Current clinical trials

Why should I join a clinical trial?

When you volunteer for a clinical trial, you join current and future patients in the fight against cancer. Patients today live longer because of treatments that came out of past clinical trials. During a clinical trial, you may be one of the first patients to experience a future treatment (though not every trial leads to new treatments).

Our Cancer Center has been active in cancer trials since 1971. In that time, we’ve seen dramatic improvements in survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients everywhere. These results would not have been possible without help from volunteers like you. At our Cancer Center, you’ll find that:

  • Your safety is our primary concern
  • You may have access to potential new treatments early
  • Our team of coordinators helps you find the best trial for your care
  • We offer the largest number of cancer clinical trials in the region

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a study of how well new medical approaches work for people. Clinical trials are a critical step toward advances in cancer care. Trials seek to further our knowledge of cancer by answering questions about:

  • How to improve the most effective way to fight cancer: prevention
  • New methods to find cancer earlier through screening
  • More accurate, less invasive and faster ways to diagnose cancer
  • Safer and more effective treatments
  • Ways we can help patients feel better during treatment, like reducing side effects

Are clinical trials safe?

Clinical trials are reviewed for safety by a committee of experts, called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Our IRB is responsible for patient safety, rights and privacy. If a proposed clinical trial doesn’t meet the IRB’s standards, the committee can deny approval or request researchers change it. The IRB also ensures each clinical trial is set up to produce the best results possible for current and future patients.

Learn more: Our Clinical Trial Center has more info on trials at Loma Linda University Health.