Clinical Trials and Cancer Studies

Advancing the fight against cancer

Hematologist and oncologist Darren Sigal, MD, represents the leading-edge cancer research and studies at Scripps.

Darren Sigal, MD, Scripps Cancer Center, Scripps Clinic and staff

Advancing the fight against cancer

Before new treatment options, innovative surgical techniques and better ways to manage side effects become available to cancer patients, they’re tested in clinical trials. In many cases, cancer clinical trials can offer new hope to patients when conventional treatments have not been successful. Scripps Cancer Center is continually expanding its cancer clinical trial offerings for patients.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are research studies in which people volunteer to help determine the effectiveness of a new medical treatment, procedure, medication or technology. These studies are vitally important in making the most advanced care available to you and other patients.

Types of clinical trials

There is a vast number of clinical trials available to cancer patients throughout the country. The most common types of clinical trials include:


  • Natural history studies — studying a group of people over a period of years to research how a health condition may progress
  • Cancer prevention trials — focusing on improved methods of preventing cancer from developing or recurring
  • Cancer screening trials — studying new ways to detect cancer
  • Cancer diagnostic trials — exploring methods to better diagnose cancer
  • Cancer treatment trials — testing new cancer treatment options
  • Quality of life trials — aiming to improve quality of life for cancer patients

Why participate in a clinical trial?

People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons:


  • Some clinical trials can serve as cancer treatment options for eligible patients who have been diagnosed with rare types of cancer.
  • Other trials study patients who have more common types of cancer, such as leukemia, breast cancer and prostate cancer to explore more effective treatments.
  • Volunteers often enjoy being part of new research that may help others, such as clinical trials to prevent cancer.

Is it safe to participate in a clinical trial?

The safety of participants is a top priority in clinical trials. In fact, federal safety rules exist to protect participants who volunteer, and patients are free to leave the clinical trial at any time.


Before a clinical trial even begins, researchers must develop a protocol, which is reviewed by medical experts to ensure that the study is well-designed and that the risks to participants are low. Throughout the study, clinical trials are closely monitored for safety.

Is a cancer clinical trial right for you?

Before you can join a clinical trial for cancer, you must meet certain guidelines, known as eligibility criteria. Each study has its own eligibility qualifications based on the goals of the study. In addition to having been diagnosed with cancer, participants may be required to have a certain type or stage of cancer, be in a specific age group or meet other conditions.


If you meet the eligibility requirements, the decision to join becomes a personal one. You may want to consider the following factors as you make your decision.

Informed consent

Informed consent means you have the key facts about a clinical trial before you decide if you want to participate, and continues throughout the study as new information comes in. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to sign a consent form saying you understand and agree. After you sign, you will still be free to leave the study at any time.

Benefits of clinical trials

Participating in a clinical trial can offer numerous health and personal benefits including:


  • Taking advantage of a new treatment that is not yet available to other people
  • Helping researchers understand your cancer and learn better ways to treat it
  • Being part of important research that may help others with the same type of cancer, or may help prevent cancer

Risks of clinical trials

The risks of a specific clinical trial will be included in the informed consent process. But in general, some of the potential risks include:


  • Unpleasant or serious side effects
  • A new treatment that may prove unsuccessful in treating your cancer type
  • More frequent office visits, test and procedures

Questions and considerations

Often, just knowing what to ask can feel overwhelming. Here are some questions to start with:


  • What is the purpose of the study?
  • Who will fund the study?
  • Who has reviewed and approved the study?
  • How are study results and safety of participants being checked?
  • How long will the study last?
  • What will my responsibilities be if I participate?
  • How often will I have tests or treatments?
  • How will this affect my daily life?
  • What are the risks and benefits?
  • Are there any costs to participate?

How to find cancer clinical trials

Scripps conducts ongoing clinical trials in San Diego to enroll patients when appropriate. To keep up with the latest:



If you’re interested in exploring cancer clinical trials, talk to your physician.