Considering participating in a myelofibrosis clinical trial but not sure where to start? Dr. Gabriela Hobbs shares advice to help patients and care partners learn about clinical trials—from understanding the time commitment to finding reputable resources and nearby options.
Dr. Gabriela Hobbs is a hematology-oncology physician specializing in the care of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), chronic myeloid leukemia, and leukemia. Dr. Hobbs serves as clinical director of the adult leukemia service at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn more about Dr. Hobbs.
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Transcript
Jamie Forward:
So, what should patients know about current or upcoming clinical trials including who might be eligible and how to get involved?
Dr. Gabriela Hobbs:
Great question.
And so, I think the first point to recognize is that if you want to participate in a clinical trial, most of these trials require a significant investment in time. And these are chronic medications that are given continuously, indefinitely until a patient stops responding. So, the first thing you wanna know is, “Is there a center near me that has a clinical trial? And if there’s not a center that’s super near me, if I’m eligible for a trial, what type of travel is involved in that?”
Because you don’t just want to sign up for a clinical trial if you have to get on an airplane every week. Some patients may be able to do that, but the vast majority of them will not be able to do that.
Jamie Forward:
That’s right.
Dr. Gabriela Hobbs:
I would say that, like I mentioned, there are so many different drugs that are being studied right now that nobody can know of all of them. And so, as a patient, I would say going to resources like the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Research Foundation is super helpful. They really have a lot of resources to help patients identify clinical trials and see if there’s trials that are in their area.
Another important resource to look at is your physician, your care team and asking them to connect with colleagues, and seeing if there are clinical trials that may be available if not at their center, perhaps at a neighboring center.