Clinical Trial Phases
Cancer treatments are tested in three to four phases before they become standard treatment. Each phase of testing seeks answers to specific questions.
Phase I
- How does the new treatment affect the human body?
- How should the new treatment be given?
- What is the safe dose for the new treatment?
- About 15-30 people participate
- UCCC is the only place in the Rocky Mountain region that offers Phase I trials
Phase II
- Does the new treatment affect a certain cancer?
- How does the new treatment affect the human body?
- Fewer than 100 people participate
- UCCC has more Phase II trials than any other center in the region
Phase III
- How does the new treatment compare to the current or standard treatment?
- 100 to thousands of people participate
- Phase IV
- How safe and effective is the new treatment in the long term?
- Several hundred to thousands of people participate
For more information about participating in clinical research trials, please read the NCI online booklet, Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies.