emphasis on trials?

[Guest guest]

Greetings,

In the " Questions that Can be Answered Only by Clinical Trials " brochure

I'm having trouble fitting in an important concept:

That the answer to " Is Therapy A is better than B " is unknowable for any

individual . until we are able to clone lymphoma survivors.

Fortunately this basic limitation of life - of science - has been solved by

the randomized controlled study - a way to determine superiority based on

results in large groups, comparing A to B - in patients randomly assigned so

that the risk factors are about equal in each group.

And yet, even the outcomes from randomized studies do not absolutely prove

that A is better than B for EVERY individual -- within the study group or

elsewhere. . due to disease and patient heterogeneity - to differences in

the patient and the biology of disease with the same diagnosis.

Anyhow, a goal of PAL is to raise awareness that our participation is

essential to making progress against lymphoma . in the brochure by providing

some admittedly roughly-sketched examples that patients will be familiar

with.

Such as: Is CVP-R better than CVP?

Today we know the answer is Yes, based on CR rates and durations of

responses, and comparing the toxicities .. We learned this as a result of

patients participating in the randomized clinical trial, not from the

testimonials of Joe or , or Sue .. Consider that our Sally has had a

sustained remission from plain CVP lasting more than a decade - which

underscores why 's outcome is not evidence either, or Joanne's.

Curing more lymphomas may well be in our grasp today - but there is an

urgent NEED for participants to test the new protocols. The benefits and

risks, compared to the standard of care, will not show themselves in any

other way.

So our job is to learn about and consider trials that may be appropriate to

our clinical circumstance (such as when there is genuine uncertainty about

which is better) . so that we can get the work done without making personal

sacrifice. It's truly in our hands. The scientists can't manufacture the

progress without us.

Clinical Questions that can only be answered by trials http://bit.ly/cTBymV

Open Clinical trials for lymphoma / CLL by Location (Using a Map)

http://bit.ly/9zB12N

7 Reasons to Consider Trials (based on clinical circumstances)

http://www.lymphomation.org/clinical-trials-participation.htm#when

All the best,

~ Karl

Patients Against Lymphoma

Patients Helping Patients

Non-profit | Independent | Evidence-based

www.lymphomation.org | Current News: http://bit.ly/f2A0T

How to Help: www.lymphomation.org/how-to-help.htm