Clinical trials for cancer are responsible for hundreds of breakthrough therapies and treatments that are helping people diagnosed with cancer live longer, healthier lives.
For over 40 years, HealthPartners and patients like you have been part of groundbreaking cancer research. And we’re always looking for others to join us in making cancer care better for patients today and in the future.
At HealthPartners, cancer research can be part of your personalized treatment plan. Opportunities are available at our cancer care locations across the Twin Cities, central Minnesota and western Wisconsin and are coordinated through the HealthPartners Institute.
Clinical trials are carefully designed studies that help doctors find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat conditions like cancer. Some trials study new treatments, while others focus on improving symptom management, reducing side effects or enhancing quality of life. All clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and are carefully monitored.
Results from these studies help organizations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with doctors and scientists, decide which treatments should become part of the standard of care.
Participating in clinical studies is always voluntary. But if you take part, you may have access to promising new treatments while helping improve care for others in the future. Other reasons to participate in a clinical trial include:
- Additional options when standard treatments aren’t enough
- The opportunity to help improve cancer care for future patients
- Care that is closely monitored and guided by a dedicated team
At HealthPartners Cancer Care, clinical trials are part of how we care for you, not something separate or out of reach. Our goal is to make it easier for you to explore all your options, including access to promising new treatments and approaches right here, close to home. That’s why we offer access to clinical trials at our cancer care locations throughout the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin.
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are in the middle of treatment, or are focused on recovery and quality of life, your cancer care team is here to help you understand if a clinical trial may be right for you.
Not only do we conduct clinical trial research, but we also partner with local, regional and national organizations to ensure you have access to the latest treatments, symptom management and prevention.
We understand that cancer care is already demanding. That’s why we focus on making participation as manageable as possible. This means:
- Your doctor may recommend a clinical trial as one of your care options, and you can also let your doctor know if you’re interested in exploring trials. No matter who starts the conversation, you’ll never be expected to participate.
- You’ll receive most of your care at the same location where you already get your cancer treatment. And we’ll coordinate research visits with your regular appointments whenever possible.
- You’ll continue to receive care from your trusted cancer care team, while also getting personalized support from dedicated research staff.
Every trial follows strict safety guidelines and is reviewed and approved by expert committees. Throughout each clinical study, you’re closely monitored, and your well being remains the top priority.
Clinical trials can be an option for many people with cancer at different points in their treatment. But not every study is the right fit. Each trial has eligibility criteria that outline who should or shouldn’t participate. Eligibility depends on factors like your diagnosis, treatment history and overall health. These criteria protect patient safety and help researchers draw clearer conclusions about how well a treatment works.
If you’re interested in learning more about clinical trials, we’re here to help. Talk with your doctor about whether a clinical trial may be right for you or connect with our cancer research team to explore available options. There are more than a hundred cancer clinical trials accepting new patients.
Cancer clinical trials are designed to answer questions about cancer care and focus on a specific goal, such as improving treatment, preventing cancer or supporting people living with cancer. Common types include:
- Treatment trials – These studies test new treatments or new combinations of treatments, such as medications, surgery or radiation therapy. The goal is to find better ways to treat cancer and improve outcomes.
- Prevention trials – These studies look at ways to lower the risk of developing cancer. This might include testing medicines, lifestyle changes or other approaches that could help prevent cancer from starting.
- Screening trials – These studies focus on finding cancer early, often before symptoms appear, when it may be easier to treat. Researchers test new screening methods or improve existing ones.
- Supportive care (palliative care) trials – These studies aim to improve comfort and quality of life for people with cancer. They look at ways to manage symptoms and side effects, such as pain, fatigue or nausea.
There are four main clinical trial phases, and each has a different goal. HealthPartners participates in all phases of clinical trials, including earlier phases that are usually only available at large academic centers.
The clinical trial phases are:
- Phase I clinical trials – This is the first opportunity for people to try new medicines or treatments for cancer. The goal is to find the best and safest way to give the new treatment.
- Phase II clinical trials – These studies continue to test the safety and effectiveness of a treatment. During this phase, unpredictable side effects can occur.
- Phase III clinical trials – At this phase, doctors see how well a new treatment works, compared to the standard treatment. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment or standard treatment.
- Phase IV clinical trials – These are studies that happen after a treatment is in widespread use. They’re used to further learn about a treatment’s long-term safety and effectiveness.
Clinical trials are carefully designed to protect your safety. Before a trial can begin, it must go through a thorough review process to make sure it is as safe as possible and that the potential risks don’t outweigh the benefits.
While all medical treatments can have risks, clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines to help keep participants safe and to ensure their well-being is the top priority.
Clinical trials are available for all of the major types of cancer. Each cancer type has multiple subtypes, and many of these have ongoing research studies.
Cancer trials often focus on treating the disease at a specific stage, because treatments can work differently depending on how far the cancer has progressed. Some clinical trials are designed for early stage cancers, while others focus on cancers that have spread or become more difficult to treat.
The types and stages of cancer included in clinical trials are constantly evolving. We’re here to help you understand when a trial may be right for you and keep you informed about new opportunities as they emerge. Current areas of research may include:
- Brain cancers – Meningioma, glioblastoma and brain metastases
- Breast cancers – Ductal carcinoma in situ, hormone receptor-positive (ER/PR+), HER2-positive and triple negative
- Gastrointestinal cancers – Esophageal, colon, pancreatic and neuroendocrine
- Genitourinary cancers – Bladder, kidney and prostate
- Gynecologic cancers – Ovarian and endometrial
- Head and neck cancers – Thyroid and nasopharyngeal
- Hematologic cancers – Lymphomas, leukemias and myelomas
- Lung cancers – Small cell, non-small cell and mesothelioma
- Melanoma – Cutaneous, mucosal and ocular
- Soft tissue sarcoma – Liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and angiosarcoma
- Bone sarcoma – Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma
If you’re interested in learning more about active cancer trials for the type of cancer you have, talk to your cancer care team to learn more.
Doctors use inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine if it makes sense for you to be part of a clinical trial. These eligibility criteria are put in place for patient safety and so the study provides the clearest results.
- Inclusion criteria – These are the qualities or conditions you need to have to be considered for a specific trial. For example, a study might be looking for people with a certain type of cancer or with specific tumor markers or genetic traits. However, even if you meet the inclusion criteria for a particular trial, there may be other reasons why it’s not a good fit for you.
- Exclusion criteria – These are things that would prevent you from being considered for a specific trial. For example, you may not be eligible if you’ve had major surgery within the four weeks before starting the trial.
No. Participation in clinical research is always your choice. Your care will not be affected if you decide not to take part.
You can leave a clinical trial at any time, for any reason. Your care team will help you transition to the next best option for your care.
Yes. Clinical trials are part of your overall care plan, and you will continue to receive appropriate medical treatment throughout your participation.
Routine care is typically covered by insurance, and many research-related costs are covered by the study. Our team will help you understand any potential costs up front. If cost is a concern, our team will talk through your options and help find ways to make participation as manageable as possible.
The HealthPartners Institute coordinates the clinical trials at our clinics and hospitals, and collaborates with national research networks and other health care systems to share findings and improve health outcomes.
Our HealthPartners Institute is accredited by organizations that ensure we’re upholding the highest standards of research. Every research study coordinated through the Institute is measured against these principles:
- Impact – Our work improves health or health care.
- Excellence – Our work is done well.
- Partnership – Our work is conducted by inclusive project teams.
- Stewardship – Our work is responsibly planned, and our resources are well managed.
- Integrity – Our work is done ethically and in compliance with regulations
By participating in a clinical trial, you’re helping improve cancer care for today and the future. Whenever possible, we’ll share study results with you. Every clinical trial, regardless of the outcome, helps advance research and brings us closer to new breakthroughs.