As many of you know, I am alive today because of my entering two phase I clinical trials, one for PCI-32765 that later became known as ibrutinib and another for a CAR-T drug.
Clinical trials are always great, right?
Well Dr. Furman has a more nuanced answer to that from our interview at ASH 2018. And he is clearly putting the patient first.
No-one is saying that clinical trials are not the best source of evidence, but what questions are being answered and at what cost to patients need to be carefully considered.
My CLL does not fit the model for the traditional approved therapies, so in the beginning I was consumed by enumerable what ifs.
The trial that I am entered in has provided in part the evidence that substantiates hope for me, and it also made that hope financially affordable .
The outcome from clinical trials gave me greater confidence to overcome this disease than did the grasping at random possibilities. Resentment for my condition has been replaced with gratitude for the people who's efforts provide credible data. In addition, the trial allows me to focus on specific goals with measurable outcomes. I now feel more in control of my life, and I am more willing to live beyond CLL.
Faith is the substance of that which we hope for, the evidence of the things we cannot see.
Thank you for speaking about your faith in "clinical trials". I too am a believer in clinical trials because it gives the doctor's more data to see if the medicine is indeed working.
Just think, we're all in this together.
And I loved, "Faith is the substance of that which we hope for, the evidence of the things we cannot see." Thanks again, Smakwater for your words of "faith".
May we all have continued success with this new medication called Ibrutinib.
I imagine it would be really difficult to know if a clinical trial would be a good fit or not. If in a desperate situation it is hard to make a wise determination.
Other doctors may scrutinize a trial and have the understanding of why it is useful or not.
Is the problem some researchers always want to be keeping up with their fellow successful researchers or impress their institution by having something to publish? Unfortunately, they might not have a useful study...? I notice this outside of medicine.
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