When facing uterine (endometrial) cancer, understanding your treatment options is key. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy may be recommended depending on your stage. Clinical trials can provide additional opportunities for treatments tailored to your specific tumor profile. They can help patients access promising therapies while contributing to research that improves care for others. 

In uterine (endometrial) cancer, trials are advancing personalized therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted treatments. Continue reading for an overview on clinical trials and how you can benefit from participating in a clinical trial.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are research studies that test new approaches to cancer treatment, prevention, or detection. Early-phase trials focus on safety and dosage, while later-phase trials evaluate how well the treatment works compared to standard care. Phase IV studies examine long-term effects after approval. For uterine (endometrial) cancer, trials play a crucial role in developing targeted therapies and immunotherapies, providing patients with new treatment options that were previously unavailable.

Are clinical trials safe?

Trials are carefully regulated, with oversight from ethics committees and frequent monitoring of participants. This often includes more check-ins, lab tests, and imaging than standard care, helping ensure patient safety throughout the study. Before joining a clinical trial, you’ll undergo an informed consent process where you’ll receive details on the risks, benefits, duration, and more of the trial. You can choose to discontinue a trial at any time.

How can I find a clinical trial?

Not all studies have the same requirements. Ask your oncology team about trials suitable for your stage and type of uterine (endometrial) cancer. You can also search ClinicalTrials.gov and fill out the fields to see the studies that you’re eligible for based on your diagnosis and location.

Remember, many cancer centers provide assistance for travel, lodging, or other logistical needs, and patient navigators or social workers can help identify support programs if your study isn’t local.

How can I benefit from a clinical trial?

Clinical trials can offer you access to treatments that could improve outcomes or reduce side effects, sometimes years before they are widely available. Trials typically cover the investigational therapy, and insurance may cover routine care. You’ll also receive extra monitoring throughout the trial, which can be an added layer of reassurance during treatment. Your participation also contributes to research that may improve treatment options for future patients with uterine (endometrial) cancer.

Questions to ask your doctor

Below are some questions to ask your care team when you’re discussing clinical trials.

• Are there trials available for my stage and type of cancer? 
• How does the trial treatment differ from standard care?
• What will my day-to-day routine look like on a clinical trial?
• What monitoring is required and how frequently?
• What support is available to help me throughout this process?

As always, if you would like to connect with an Outcomes4Me oncology nurse practitioner at no charge through the Outcomes4Me app, just use the “Ask Outcomes4Me” button.