Knoxville Clinical Trials Lead Cancer Prevention, Cancer Diagnosis and Cancer Treatment
November 2009 Clinical Trials (UPDATED Monthly!)
The Cancer Institute Process
Which Types of Clinical Trials are Offered at the Cancer Institute?
UT Medical Center's Clinical Trials Team
Choosing a Clinical Trial
Clinical Trial Resources
Clinical Trials Staff
Research Partners
As the region’s only academic institution, The University of Tennessee Medical Center through the Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Division participates in research studies of national merit. Its mission is to advance research in cancer and ultimately lead the way to new cancer-related discoveries.
All research from Bayer aspirin to the latest in chemotherapy treatment, innovative procedures and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology began with clinical trials. The goal of each oncology clinical trial is to discover better ways to prevent cancer, diagnose cancer and/or treat cancer. The cancer clinical trials process is based on long-term, scientifically designed cancer research studies.
Once a treatment developed in the laboratory shows potential, the next step is to test it with people. Only by patient recruitment and participation in research studies can the treatment be established as safe and effective. All patients who decide to take part in the oncology research are volunteers. These volunteers are at liberty to terminate their participation at any time.
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The Cancer Institute Process
Every clinical trial offered at UT Medical Center goes through a careful process of reviews and approvals before it is opened for participation.
- Peer Review Committee (PRC). The PRC (consisting of oncology physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) reviews the study design, treatment, feasibility, resource utilization, subject recruitment, and scientific merit of each research proposal. This level of review enhances the quality of cancer clinical research by providing constructive criticism and maintaining scientific oversight.
- Institutional Review Board (IRB). Following approval by the PRC, the protocols are submitted to the IRB. This unbiased panel of scientific and non-scientific members must not have a direct role in the studies being considered. The IRB functions to protect all human subjects participating in research projects by assuring the studies are conducted in accordance with all state and federal regulations. The IRB monitors each protocol and related materials from the beginning of the study to the end.
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Which Types of Clinical Trials are Offered at the Cancer Institute?
A variety of studies are sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other government agencies. For example, the UT Medical Center is a “member institution” of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). SWOG is one of the largest national clinical trials cooperative groups and is funded by the NCI. By being a member of SWOG, the Cancer Institute has access to all federally funded study trials. UT Medical Center is the only SWOG member institution in the Knoxville area.
In addition, the Cancer Institute conducts various pharmaceutical company-sponsored research studies, collaborates with other cancer centers around the country and develops its own internal, investigator-initiated clinical trials. For example, internal PET/CT clinical trials studies are offered in collaboration with the Molecular Imaging and Translational Research (MITR) Program, making the most advanced diagnostic equipment in the world available to its patients.
Currently, the UT Medical Center research team offers more than 40 ongoing clinical trials. A monthly update of the complete listing is provided at the top of this page. Regardless of the type of clinical trial patients participate in, they can be assured they will receive the most comprehensive, multidisciplinary care available.
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UT Medical Center's Clinical Trials Team
Each study has the following.
- Principle Investigator: A doctor who accepts primary responsibility for the trial.
- Research Nurse: Coordinates patient care and documentation by:
- Reviewing and obtaining informed consent from the patient
- Instructing the patient regarding all aspects of the study, including side-effects
- Monitoring compliance with study requirements
- Managing completeness and integrity of data
- Serving as the direct contact for study patients
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Choosing a Clinical Trial
The benefits of participating in a clinical trial include the following.
- Participants have access to promising new approaches that are often not available outside the clinical trial setting.
- Partipants may receive more intense monitoring from the research team
- Participants may be the first to benefit from the new method under study.
- Results from the study may help others in the future.
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Clinical Trials Resources
Cancer Trials Support Unit
American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
Southwest Oncology Group
NCI- National Cancer Institute
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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Taking part in a clinical trial can be an overwhelming process. As your advocate, Clinical Trials personnel will help you weigh your options and answer questions you may have. If a clinical trial is not available for you here, we can help you navigate the system and identify other resources. Please feel free to contact us with your questions and concerns.
Clinical Trials Staff
Barbara Munsey, BS, Manager
Shanna Overbey, RN, Study Coordinator
Randi Ray, RN, OCN Study Coordinator
Colleen Edson, Data Coordinator
Patti Jones, Data Coordinator
Phone 865.305.9773
Fax 865.305.6818
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