Patients

A participant’s guide to Alliance trials

While many of our active clinical trials focus on advanced treatments for individuals currently facing a cancer diagnosis, the Alliance also is committed to defeating cancer from every angle as well as supporting survivors. Alliance research includes:   

• Next-generation treatments: Evaluating innovative therapies, advanced drug combinations, and new surgical or radiation techniques before they are widely available to the public. 
• Prevention and screening: Identifying ways to prevent cancer or detect it early, before symptoms even appear.
• Advanced imaging and diagnostics: Using cutting-edge technology to better monitor how tumors respond to treatment.
• Survivorship and quality of life: Studying ways to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of people after they complete their primary treatments. 
• Patient partnership: Integrating the patient voice directly into our research. Our patient representatives help design Alliance clinical trials from the concept to protocol, ensuring our studies remain compassionate, accessible, and centered on real patient needs.

Why cancer clinical trials matter

Clinical trials are the foundation of progress in cancer care. Many of today’s advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship are possible because people chose to participate in clinical research.

• Empowerment through action: Choosing to join a clinical trial can be an empowering experience. It allows individuals at risk for or diagnosed with cancer to take an active role in their healthcare journey. 
• Expert care through clinical research: Participants enrolled in Alliance clinical trials will work with experienced oncology teams following carefully designed research protocols. Study participants are closely monitored throughout the trial, with regular assessments that help ensure high-quality data collection, participant safety, and adherence to the study plan, as well as rules and regulations. 
• Safety is our highest priority: Protecting the safety and rights of research participants is the foundation of every Alliance clinical trial. Before a trial opens, it undergoes extensive scientific, ethical, and regulatory review. Throughout the trial, participant safety is continuously monitored by investigators, independent ethics review boards, oversight committees, monitoring and safety professionals, quality and compliance groups, all established safeguards (rules, regulations and best practices) in place to protect participants at every stage of the research process. 

Bringing innovation to the community

Alliance clinical trials are widely available and seamlessly integrated into healthcare systems throughout the United States [link to map]. Depending on the study, our trials are conducted in local doctors’ offices, community hospitals, regional clinics, veteran and military hospitals, and major cancer centers across the United States. While some highly specialized studies take place only at select centers, many of our trials are offered across hundreds of locations in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Your choice, your team

The decision to participate in a clinical trial is voluntary and entirely yours. As you weigh your options, your doctor and healthcare team are valuable partners who will provide balanced, transparent information about the risks, benefits, your rights, and what to expect. We encourage you and your loved ones to start the conversation with your healthcare team and explore what is possible. And remember, even if you choose to enroll in a clinical trial, you can always leave the study at any time, for any reason.