Cancer Care

Cancer Clinical Trials

Today’s clinical trials are tomorrow’s cancer treatments

Oncology clinical trials are research studies that involve cancer patients. Through clinical trials, doctors and scientists try to find new ways to improve treatments and quality of life for people with cancer. Advances are made possible by the invaluable information gathered during a clinical trial. 

MaineHealth and the MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) collaborate with other research firms on a wide range of oncology clinical trials. And, we provide clinical trial access to qualifying cancer patients across our health care system. Patients do not need to travel long distances to get innovative cancer care.

Next Step for Providers

Complete our referral form to connect a patient with our oncology clinical trials program.
Refer a Patient

Next Step for Patients

Complete our patient referral form to learn more about our clinical trials program.
Refer Yourself

Looking for more information on clinical trials?

Talk to your doctor first. Get as much information as you can about the clinical research and available trials.

View Current Trials View FAQs

Information and Resources

Cancer patients across Maine and the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire have access to more advanced clinical trials in their home communities, thanks to a major federal research grant awarded to MaineHealth Cancer Care in 2019.

  • MaineHealth Cancer Care was awarded a grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), as a member of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), to implement a new cancer research program that aims to reach more Mainers in their own cities and towns, ensuring they have access to the best possible patient care. Patients are more comfortable being treated closer to their friends and family. MaineHealth is part of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program. 
Map of the US with NCORP sites marked

Map source: Community oncology and prevention trials research group, Division of Cancer Prevention, NCORP, 2019

 

  • The six-year, $5.1 million NCORP award is the single largest grant ever extended by the NCI for clinical cancer research and cancer clinical trials in the state of Maine. Through this funding, MaineHealth Cancer Care Network Lifespan Program was established and designed to bring the latest research in cancer prevention, cancer treatment and cancer care delivery to Mainers. This is the only oncology program in Northern New England to enroll patients in clinical trials at every stage of the cancer continuum, from prevention to survival.

     
  • For more information, click here for current trials. Patients currently have access to clinical trials at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, Maine General Medical Center, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital and MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital. 

     

Bringing the Benefits of New Discoveries to Our Patients 

Our world-class researchers are working on the most advanced biomedical problems and bring the benefits of new discoveries to our patients and the world. Learn more.

Search a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world: www.clinicaltrials.gov

 

If you are thinking about joining a clinical trial, talk to your doctor first. Get as much information as you can about the clinical research and available clinical trials. Because the treatment is new, researchers may not know fully the safety and effectiveness of a new drug, device or medical therapy. 

Experimental treatments may not work as well as standard treatments you would have had if you were not participating in a clinical trial. Clinical trial participants may also experience side effects. In many instances, the side effects are no greater in a clinical trial than they would be in standard therapy.

Talk to your doctor to find out if you qualify for cutting-edge care

In a clinical trial, you will get to try new cancer treatments that are specifically focused on your cancer tumor type. Researchers will learn how well the experimental treatment works and patients get extra care and support. For some patients, access to new cancer-fighting drugs and therapies offer hope when standard treatments have not worked. With clinical trials, patients receive:

  • Extra support and attention as they undergo new treatments
  • The chance to be helped by a brand-new treatment that otherwise is not offered
  • The opportunity to help doctors and scientists learn more about treating cancer
  • Why participate in a clinical research study? (PDF)

Targeting Therapy through Clinical Trial Research

For some patients, access to new cancer-fighting drugs and therapies offer hope when standard treatments have not worked.