The Leukaemia Foundation provides vital funding for research programs, including clinical trials, which aim to improve treatments, care and health outcomes for people with blood cancer. These trials help find out if a new treatment or device is safe and effective.
A clinical trial may involve testing new:
- Medicines
- Ways of giving treatment
- Ways to screen diagnose, prevent or treat a disease or condition
Trials are run by hospitals and researchers, and can be sponsored by drug manufacturers, government and organisations including the Leukaemia Foundation.
These potentially life-saving treatments are not currently available to everyone but may be accessed by patients who meet certain eligibility criteria. If the clinical trial is successful, the treatment could become available to more people with blood cancer in the future.
Clinical trials provide a potential lifeline for people with blood cancer when standard treatment options don’t work.
If you’d like more information about participating in a clinical trial, please speak to your doctor. They will be able to provide information about available trials and eligibility criteria.
Clinical trials are conducted in Australia and overseas. The Leukaemia Foundation helps people with blood cancer access new drugs through international trials through our Trials Enabling Program.
Frequently asked questions
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What happens during a clinical trial?
Each clinical trial follows a plan called a protocol that explains:
- Who can join the trial
- What will happen during the trial and what is expected
- What tests and treatments are included
If you are eligible, a team of doctors and nurses will manage your care. Trials are held at hospitals and research centres across Australia.
What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?
By participating in a clinical trial you may:
- Try a treatment not yet available to other people
- Help researchers find better treatments for the future
- Help other people living with the same blood cancer
Before you decide to participate in a clinical trial:
- Talk to your doctor
- Read the written information and sign a consent form
- Check how often and where you have treatments and tests
- Ask any questions you may have
How much will it cost?
You won’t have to pay any money to participate in a clinical trial. You may still need to pay for your usual medical care.
The clinical trial will pay for the tests and treatments related to the trial. Some trials may also help with accommodation (if required), travel or parking.
Private insurers often do not cover the costs related to a trial, so you’ll need to check with your healthcare or health insurance provider.
Is participating in a cancer clinical trial safe?
The risks depend on the type of treatment being studied. Some side effects may be mild while others could be more serious. Make sure you fully understand these risks before you agree to participate in a clinical trial.
Researchers must follow strict guidelines, laws and ethics to make sure you’re protected during a trial.
A trial cannot go ahead unless it has been approved by a committee or board which includes scientists, doctors and people from the local community (e.g. consumers, ethics experts). They will check the trial is designed to protect patients and ensure the benefits will be higher than the risks of participating.
Each trial must meet the Good Clinical Practice standard. This is an ethical and scientific quality standard that ensures the rights, safety and wellbeing of trial participants are protected.How long will the clinical trial last?
The trial’s protocol document will provide information about how long the trial lasts and what is expected of you.
You can leave the trial at any time by withdrawing your consent.
Will I still get regular medical care?
You can continue seeing your general practitioner (GP) and may also see your usual haematologist during the trial.
As part of the trial, you may also need to:
- See new doctors
- Attend a different hospital
- Get more tests and treatments
What if I get a placebo?
A placebo is a substance that has no effect on the disease. Placebos are rarely used in cancer trials. However, some trials may compare a new treatment against a current standard treatment.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
Each clinical trial has eligibility criteria. This may include:
- Your age
- Your medical history
- Your type or stage of blood cancer
- Current or previous treatment
- A physical check up
- Blood test and scan results
A doctor and/or nurse will check if you meet the trial criteria.
What happens at the end of the trial? Will I still be able to receive the drug?
Once a trial ends, the researchers will look at the results. Sometimes you can keep getting the treatment. But often, you may need to wait until it is approved by the government.
Some drug companies will offer a pre-approval access program for a treatment while it’s awaiting approval.
How do I find a clinical trial?
Talk to your doctor. They will be able to access an up-to-date list of trials. You can also find clinical trials through patient advocacy groups or local university medical centres. Other Australian trials sites include:
- Australian Cancer Trials – a website funded by Cancer Australia for people who have cancer and are considering taking part in a trial to test a new treatment.
- Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group (ALLG) – an organisation that specialises in clinical research, both through clinical trials and applied laboratory research associated with trials, for patients with a blood cancer
- The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry – a database of clinical trials and their results from Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Its search function allows you to conduct a basic or advanced search of clinical trials
- ClinTrial Refer – a mobile app and website platform that allows patients to independently search for actively recruiting clinical trials and to access trial site locations and contact details in real time
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre – coordinate large multicentre clinical trials in Australia and promotes high quality clinical trials research, but doesn’t directly recruit participants for clinical trials
Where can I get more information about clinical trials?
- ABC Health Matters website – Clinical Trials – provides a good description of clinical trials and answers common questions
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website – includes ‘at a glance’ information and a list of frequently asked questions
- World Health Organization
Clinical trials overseas
The Leukaemia Foundation has established the Trials Enabling Program (TEP) to help people with blood cancer access promising new drugs through international clinical trials.
More information about international trials can be found at:
- ClinicalTrials.com (US)
- ClinicalTrials.gov (US)
- Cancer Trial Treatment Options
- National Cancer Institute (US)
Understanding clinical trials
This video explores the what, why and how of clinical trials to help you make informed decisions.
The ClinTrial Refer App
A/Professor Nada Hamad, haematologist at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, shares the benefits of the ClinTrial Refer mobile app.
Warren’s clinical trial story
Warren’s story isn’t unusual. Before his 2003 diagnosis, he didn’t know anything about blood cancer or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. After seven rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow biopsy showed he was running out of options. Then he learned of a targeted oral therapy overseas. The therapy was brought to Australia as part of a clinical trial and Warren was able to access the treatment which has kept him alive.
