Access to the latest research in cancer treatment

Our team is dedicated to bringing the latest research and clinical trials to Siouxland patients.

Over the last 25 years, our patients have participated in hundreds of studies – all with the goal of advancing cancer treatment and finding a cure.

Find A Clinical Trial

Clinical Trials in Iowa

Clinical trials provide important information about the best ways to:

Treat cancer
Find and diagnose cancer
Prevent cancer
Manage symptoms of cancer or treatment

Our team of clinical research associates works with doctors, nurses, and laboratory staff to identify patients who qualify for available research studies and clinical trials. Under the leadership of Donald Wender, MD, PhD, we bring our patients the benefits of several research groups including:

Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, which includes the expertise of Mayo Clinic and more than 10,000 cancer specialists
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, which involves more than 6,000 physician, nursing, pharmacy, and research experts. Their leadership includes physician researchers from Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, University of Pennsylvania and others
NRG, credited with advancing breast cancer prevention and instrumental in getting FDA approval for Tamoxifen
Numerous pharmaceutical companies that have specific trials to earn initial FDA approval or expand treatment indication

Why participate in a clinical trial?

There are many reasons to participate in a clinical trial. Participants are among the first patients to have access to new treatments before they are widely available and help advance research for future cancer patients.

All clinical trials have guidelines about who can participate. Some studies need participants with specific illnesses, while other studies need healthy participants.

Additional frequently asked questions:

We encourage you to speak with your doctor to find out if you qualify for a clinical trial. Your doctor can also answer your questions such as:

What Types Of Clinical Trials Are Available?

There are three common types of clinical trials. Your participation in a trial will be determined by the specific qualifications for the trial. The types of trials include:

Treatment trials for testing new treatment options including drugs, surgery, and radiation therapy; new targeted therapies for individualized care; new combinations of treatment; and new methods such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, and vaccines.
Prevention trials for testing new ways to prevent cancer including medicines, vitamins, or diet.
Cancer control trials for testing new ways to control common side effects from cancer.

What Can I Expect During A Clinical Trial?

The process for each clinical trial depends on the kind of trial that is being conducted. You will work with a research team for every trial. The team may include doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
During the trial, the research team will contact you frequently. This helps the team for many reasons including:

Staying up-to-date on your health status
Providing you with specific instructions for participating in the trial
Monitoring and following up with you during the trial

It’s important to know that you may have more tests and doctor visits during a clinical trial than you would normally have for your illness or condition. The research team will provide you with more information so you know what to expect for your specific clinical trial.

What Are The Benefits And Risks Of A Clinical Trial?

The benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial can vary based on the research being conducted. You should speak with your doctor and the trial research team for more specific information.
In general, a clinical trial can allow you to:

Play an active role in your health care
Be among the first to gain access to new treatment options
Receive care by leading cancer experts during the trial
Help others by contributing to medical research

You should also consider other possible, negative factors from clinical trials such as:

Uncomfortable, serious, or even life-threatening side effects including headaches, hair loss, nausea, skin problems, or other physical problems
Extra time for trips to the research site, more treatments and hospital stays, or complex drug requirements
Ineffectiveness of the experimental treatment

What Should I Consider Before Participating In A Trial?

Participating in a clinical trial can offer you many benefits. However, it is important to speak with your doctor and the clinical trial research team to determine if a clinical trial is right for you.

You should also ask questions so you better understand the benefits and risks of a clinical trial and how they could impact you. Your questions may include:

What is the purpose of the study?
Who is going to be in the study?
Has the experimental treatment been tested before?
What types of tests and treatments are involved?
What are the possible risks and benefits of the study compared to current treatment?
How long will the trial last?
Are there any costs for participating in the study?
What type of long-term follow up care is part of the clinical trial?

JENCC’s History of advancing cancer care through clinical trials

JENCC’s own Dr. Donald Wender was actually one of the first medical oncologists to use new drugs with ovarian and renal cancers. He has been on the forefront of advancing cancer treatments and clinical research.