Patients

The Early Phase Clinical Trials Team is committed to offering patients a range of early phase trials, along all stages of their cancer journey.

Although currently around one third of patients referred do not enter a study, due to a lack of suitable open trials, our aim is to have a suitable phase 1 trial for every patient referred. We can however refer on the other leading centres that may have suitable trials. If you wish to be referred for consideration of an early phase trial, you should speak with your oncologist and ask them to contact the early phase team here at Cambridge.

Patient information
What is an early phase clinical trial?

Early phase, or phase I and phase II, trials are the first step in testing new medicines that have been developed in the lab. The people who take part in phase I trials may be amongst the first patients to be given a new treatment.

Click the link below for more information.

How do I get referred for an Early Phase Trial?

If you want to come to Cambridge and have a discussion about a particular trial, or find out if there is one suitable for you, or what trials may be available in the future, you will need to have a referral letter from your oncologist. Once the referral letter has been received by one of our Early Phase consultants, we would plan to see you in one of our clinics within two to three weeks. Clinics are on a Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon. Whilst most of our patients do come from the East Anglian region, we are happy to accept referrals from around the country. Our patients often travel a significant distance to be assessed for trials, or participate in trials, with a median of 78 miles every round trip.

Going onto a trial

The signing of the consent form for an Early Phase trial, means that the screening process can start. It does not mean that you will automatically go onto the trial, your safety is our paramount concern so the results of the screening process will determine whether you will be eligible. Click the link below to find out more about the screening process and what happens next.

Patient stories

Some of our patients have kindly agreed to share their experiences of Early Phase trials. Please click on the link if you would like to read their stories.

Patient and Public involvement

Early phase and translational cancer trials are at the forefront of science in developing new ways to beat cancer. We have a patient and public involvement group that is involved in different aspects of this cutting edge science. If you or someone you know is interested in the science of cancer and might want to get involved, please do get in touch via the contact us page (click here). It is not a patient support group, its focus is to support scientists to develop their research.

Current early phase trials in Cambridge

Click the link below to see a list of early phase trials currently running in Cambridge.

Finding a trial

Click the link below for information on finding clinical trials in Cambridge and the UK.

Maggie's Wallace

Drop into Maggie’s for practical, emotional and social support at any time from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre

Offers support, information, assessment and signposting to all people affected by cancer, and stocks literature on cancer and support.
Based at the information pod located in oncology outpatients.
10-4 Monday - Friday (closed bank holidays) 01223 274801

Staff

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cambridge
Department of Oncology
University of Cambridge
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Department of Oncology
University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Department of Oncology
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Department of Oncology