From Patient to Partner: The Importance of Joining Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Dreams are often born through the experiences that challenge and shape us, evolving from moments of personal impact into a strong desire to make a difference. Oluwatobiloba Oguntoyinbo began her journey with personal reflections on health, leading her to advocate for cancer patients by addressing misinformation and enhancing access to cancer therapies.Oluwatobiloba Oguntoyinbo is a dedicated Patient Advocate and Clinical Research Professional with over five years of experience in molecular and translational medicine, clinical research, and community health.

From 2018 to 2024, Oluwatobiloba worked as a Research Associate at Obafemi Awolowo and Western Kentucky Universities, focusing on cellular and molecular genetics and cancer biology with several published articles. In 2022, she founded Synced Cancer(formerly Cancer Hope), a blog that provides practical resources for cancer patients, reaching thousands of people with impactful content.

Currently working with Tennessee Oncology, one of the largest community-based cancer care organizations in the U.S., Oluwatobiloba plays a key role in advancing clinical trials and therapies while addressing social determinants of health.

From Patient to Partner: The Importance of Joining Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers globally, affecting millions of women and a small percentage of men. As treatment options have expanded and evolved, clinical trials have been critical in driving the advancements that have improved patient survival rates and quality of life. However, breast cancer remains a complex disease, and much more effortsare required to develop treatments that can address all its subtypes effectively. Participation in clinical trials plays a pivotal role in thisregard, where passive volunteers are transformed into active partners in the discovery of novel therapies.

Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are a type of clinical research studies that are performed to evaluate new treatments, drugs, or medical devices in a controlled environment. These studies are essential in bringing scientific discoveries from the lab to the clinic. Clinical trials are particularly significant for assessing breast cancer interventions because of increasing calls for therapies of this condition to be individualized for every patient. Generally, clinical trials for breast cancer are divided into four phases (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Clinical Trial Phases – Illustrates the four phases of clinical trials for cancer treatments

Broadly, participating in a clinical trial allows breast cancer patients to access new, potentially life-saving interventions long before they become widely available. It also enables patients to contribute to scientific advancements that could help future breast cancer patients live longer, healthier lives. Despite these clear benefits, many breast cancer patients are still oblivious of the opportunities participating in clinical trials could provide.

Disparities in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Many minority women are consistently underrepresented in breast cancer trials, which is concerning given that these populations often experience higher mortality rates from the disease.

Addressing these disparities is critical to ensuring that breast cancer treatments are effective across all demographics and do not disproportionately benefit certain groups while leaving others behind. Educating patients about the benefits of participating in clinical trials is a vital step in this process. When patients understand that their involvement can lead to access to cutting-edge treatments, enhanced care, and the opportunity to contribute to essential research, they may be more inclined to participate.

Benefits of Participation in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Breast cancer treatments have evolved dramatically over the past few decades, thanks largely to the results of clinical trials. Breakthroughs in targeted therapies, such as HER2 inhibitors and hormone-blocking treatments, were only possible through rigorous clinical research. These therapies target specific genetic mutations or proteins that drive cancer growth, leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.For example, the development of trastuzumab (Herceptin), a drug used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer, was made possible by patient participation in clinical trials. HER2-positive cancers are aggressive, but trastuzumab has significantly improved survival rates for patients with this subtype. Similarly, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, such as olaparib, have shown promise in treating BRCA-mutated breast cancer, another aggressive form of the disease.Participating in clinical trials offers various benefits for breast cancer patients, significantly impacting their treatment journey and the broader medical landscape.

One of the most appealing benefits of joining a clinical trial is the opportunity to access innovative treatments that are not yet available to the public. Clinical trials often explore new drugs, therapies, or treatment combinations that have shown promise in early research but have yet to receive regulatory approval. For patients facing advanced or aggressive breast cancer, participating in a clinical trial may provide access to trial therapies, potentially improving their prognosis and quality of life and increased chances of successful outcomes.

Another significant advantage of participation in clinical trials is the heightened level of monitoring and care that patients receive during the study. Clinical trials are conducted under strict guidelines to ensure patient safety and data integrity. Participants are closely monitored throughout the trial, with regular check-ups and assessments that may go beyond standard care. This rigorous oversight means that any side effects or health changes are quickly identified and managed, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Participation in clinical trials is not just about individual patient care; it also plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and improving future treatment options for all breast cancer patients. Each trial generates valuable data that areanalyzed to understand how new treatments perform, their effectiveness, and their safety profiles. By participating, patients contribute to a larger body of research that can lead to the development of more effective therapies, improved treatment protocols, and ultimately better outcomes for future patients. This sense of contributing to scientific research is empowering as such patients is now a partner that could help others battling breast cancer in the future.

Participating in breast cancer clinical trials can significantly alleviate the financial burdens associated with cancer treatment. Many trials are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies or research institutions that cover treatment costs, including medications and laboratory tests, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for participants. Additionally, travel and accommodation costs may be reimbursed, especially for trials requiring multiple visits. Some studies also offer meal allowances and childcare support, easing logistical challenges.

As breast cancer research continues to evolve, the participation of patients in clinical trials remains essential to driving progress and improving outcomes for all individuals affected by this disease.

Common Concern Affecting Patient Participation and Solution
Despite the benefit of participating in clinical trials, various concerns deter patients from enrolling in trial studies. Understanding these barriers and implementing effective solutions is essential for enhancing participation rates.

How Breast Cancer Patients Can Access Actively Recruiting Trials

The following provides a guideline that can easily be followed to discover and engage in ongoing breast cancer clinical trials. Breast cancer patients looking to access actively recruiting clinical trials can do so through several pathways, often facilitated by healthcare providers, online platforms, or patient advocacy groups.

By utilizing one or a combination of the above guide, breast cancer patients can increase their access to potentially life-saving trials and advance current knowledge about this condition.

Current Status of Breast Cancer Clinical Trials in Nigeria

The online registry, Clinicaltrial.gov, of the National Institute of Health, highlights that there are currently 5 clinical trials related to breast cancer that are actively recruiting participants in Nigeria as of October 2024. These trials are conducted in specialized tertiary hospitals across the country and the following provides an overview of their objectives.

Conclusion
Breast cancer clinical trials are a crucial component in the ongoing battle against breast cancer. By participating, patients gain access to the latest treatments while contributing to the scientific knowledge that will improve care for future generations. Clinical trials transform patients from passive recipients of care into active partners in research, empowering them to take control of their health and contribute to the greater good.However, barriers such as lack of awareness, logistical challenges, fear, and exclusion of certain populations continue to limit participation in clinical trials. Addressing these issues is essential for creating a more inclusive and effective breast cancer research landscape.

By overcoming these obstacles and promoting greater participation, the future of breast cancer care can be transformed, leading to more personalized, effective, and accessible treatments for all patients. Ultimately, patients who join clinical trials not only help themselves but also contribute to a legacy of scientific progress that will benefit countless others in the fight against breast cancer.