title: Purpose and benefits of early phase cancer trials: what do oncologists say? What do patients hear?
abstract: CANCER PATIENTS OVERESTIMATE BENEFITS of early phase trials but studies have not reported what oncologists say to patients about trials. We audiotaped oncologists talking to cancer patients about Phase I or II trials and interviewed patients about the purpose and expected outcomes of trials presented to them. Oncologists gave mixed messages, saying Phase I trials measure safety and dosing, yet referring to trials as treatment with uncertain therapeutic effects. Seventeen percent of Phase I respondents said the trial's purpose related to safety/dosing (p = 0.017); 17% of Phase I respondents said the purpose was "to cure my cancer." Patients may find it important to believe trials offer significant benefit. Oncologists, while respecting patients' hopes, should be precise in their language, particularly regarding Phase I trials, distinguishing early stages of research from treatment.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and Bloomberg School of Public Health.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fogarty
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sugarman
authors.forename: Steven N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Annallys
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goodwin-Landher
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carducci
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hurwitz