EPISODE 44: UNDERSTANDING CLINICAL TRIALS & HOW THEY FIT IN THE NEUROENDOCRINE CANCER JOURNEY

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ABOUT THIS EPISODE

When in one’s neuroendocrine cancer journey might a clinical trial be considered? What factors influence treatment decisions, including whether to pursue a clinical trial? Dr. Alexandria Phan, medical oncologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin, offers thoughtful guidance on when and how clinical trials fit into the neuroendocrine cancer journey. This episode helps demystify the clinical trial process and empowers patients to engage in meaningful, proactive conversations with their care teams.

MEET ALEXANDRIA PLAN, MD, FACP

Dr. Alexandria Phan is a hematologist and medical oncologist at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin. Clinical practice, clinical research and education are three pillars important to Dr. Phan’s approach to cancer care. Her areas of focus for clinical research and patient care are neuroendocrine tumors and malignancies of the gastrointestinal system. She has held several leadership positions including cancer center director, founding program director for Hematology-Oncology fellowship, medical director of clinical research, and national director for GI cancer program.

TOP TEN QUESTIONS:

1. What is a clinical trial?

2. When in one’s neuroendocrine cancer journey might a clinical trial be considered? Many people think of clinical trials as a “last resort” option? When in one’s neuroendocrine cancer journey should a clinical trial be considered?  

3. How do you, as a neuroendocrine expert, consider clinical trials for your patients?

4. What is the process of considering clinical trials? Do you suggest them or do your patients suggest them? If a patient is interested, do you refer them to a clinical trial or is it their responsibility to reach out to the investigator (if it is not you)?

5. If I am at a decision point and there are multiple treatment options available including clinical trials, what advice or insights do you have to help make this decision?

   1. When might a clinical trial be “better” than what is already available?

   2. How does timing factor into the decision? How long does it take to enroll/start a clinical trial? 

   3. What if the trial is not available at the institution I’m going to?

6. How do patients keep abreast of clinical trials? How can they better understand the trial?  

7. How long do clinical trials take? If I start a clinical trial, how long could I expect to be on it?

8. How often do clinical trials open/close? How often do spots [slots] open? 

9. How do I optimize my options? If I want to keep my options open for future clinical trials, what are certain considerations in selecting current treatments to make sure to maximize future clinical trials options? 

10. What is on the horizon for neuroendocrine cancer that you’re most optimistic about?

RESOURCES

Clinical Trials Guide

View more videos on research and clinical trials in our Video Library>>>

READ

CHD Guidelines & Articles:

• ENETS guidance paper for carcinoid syndrome and carcinoid heart disease 

• Davar et al (2017) Diagnosing and Managing Carcinoid Heart Disease in Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Expert Statement. J Am Coll Cardiol.; 69 (10) 1288–1304

• Jin et al (2021) Carcinoid Heart Disease: Pathophysiology, Pathology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management. Cardiology;146:65–73

• Ram et al (2019) Carcinoid Heart Disease:Review of Current Knowledge. Texas Heart Institute Journal February 2019, Vol. 46, No. 1

Additional Resources:

• Xermelo or Telotristat Ethyl

• Interscience Institute provides NET Diagnostic Testing including pancreastatin and serotonin.

DISCLAIMER

The Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation Podcasts are created for educational purposes only and do not substitute for medical advice. The views shared in this Podcast are the personal opinions of the experts and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation. Please contact your medical team with questions or concerns about your individual care or treatment.

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