How long does it take for trial recruitment to start?

Forums General Melanoma Community How long does it take for trial recruitment to start?

  • Post
    DeniseK
    Participant

      Hello Everyone

      Hello Everyone

      It's amazing how things change from day to day.  I thought I had a perfect game plan.  I was going on Z and hoping for the best.  I was thinking maybe I'll be one of those lucky ones that I could live years on it.  Well I'm still hopeful but I found a trial that is randomized Zelboraf alone VS Zelboraf with Mek inhibitor.  I figure well I was going to do the Z anyway.  The way this one works is 1-28 days of Z then 1-21 days of inhibitor or Placebo.  Seems like I would benefit either way.  Here's the link to the trial http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01689519?recr=Recruiting&cond=melanoma&state1=NA%3AUS%3ACA&state2=NA%3AUS%3ANV&age=1&rank=11&show_locs=Y#locn

      My question is, if anyone knows, is when do they typically start recruiting.  They are recruiting in Encinitas, CA but not in San Francisco where I would need to go or anywhere else for that matter.  I sent an email yesterday asking and called today and left a message but haven't heard.  I'm supposed to be starting Z on Monday and I want to know if I should hold off so I can qualify for this trial, but if it takes a couple months then I probably won't have the time. 

      Sorry for all my questions, but I'm in a time crunch now and it doesn't look like I'm going to get any answers today.

      Thanks for ALL your help!!

      Denise

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        awillett1991
        Participant
          Online info is usually out of date. You will have to speak to someone at the center you are looking at. Assuming they had a spot for you, you have to be scheduled for some very specific blood tests and scans, unless you have exactly what Roche wants and it is very current, which are paid for by you or your insurance ( as well as all ongoing required care/scans), and then all of that goes to Roche where you are approved/denied. Don’t leave that piece out. It can be a 2-3 week process easily.

          That being said, who knows, it might be well worth it.

          awillett1991
          Participant
            Online info is usually out of date. You will have to speak to someone at the center you are looking at. Assuming they had a spot for you, you have to be scheduled for some very specific blood tests and scans, unless you have exactly what Roche wants and it is very current, which are paid for by you or your insurance ( as well as all ongoing required care/scans), and then all of that goes to Roche where you are approved/denied. Don’t leave that piece out. It can be a 2-3 week process easily.

            That being said, who knows, it might be well worth it.

            awillett1991
            Participant
              Online info is usually out of date. You will have to speak to someone at the center you are looking at. Assuming they had a spot for you, you have to be scheduled for some very specific blood tests and scans, unless you have exactly what Roche wants and it is very current, which are paid for by you or your insurance ( as well as all ongoing required care/scans), and then all of that goes to Roche where you are approved/denied. Don’t leave that piece out. It can be a 2-3 week process easily.

              That being said, who knows, it might be well worth it.

              Lori C
              Participant

                Call the trial coordinator.  Usually they are very responsive.  If they want participants badly enough, they sometimes even hurry things up a bit if they know people are waiting.  That was my experience with one trial, anyway.  The delays are usually IRB related. Good luck with this and may it do the trick and you end up with a very very long response!

                Lori, caregiver to Will

                  DeniseK
                  Participant
                    Well the coordinator called me back late last night. They’ll be starting recruitment in the next couple weeks, then there’s about 28 days of screening, then everything is entered and randomized which takes a week or so, then they start. So about 6-8 weeks. Don’t know if I have that long to wait. Going to see if my dr can do another scan to see if they can tell the growth rate of my tumors. I won’t qualify if I start Z already. Bummer cuz results show better results with both BRAF and MEK. Calling doc Monday.
                    Have a great weekend everyone!!
                    POW
                    Participant

                      Denise, that sounds like an intelligent approach. See if you can get another set of scans to determine how fast your tumors are growing and then consult with your oncologist to make your decision. If you do decide to go for the clinical trial and then start to experience more symptoms, you can always withdraw from the trial enrollment process and start on Zelboraf at any time. 

                      If you do start Zelboraf (either now or several weeks from now) you could look into PD-1 or PDL-1 clinical trials and be prepared to go that route as a Plan B. 

                      POW
                      Participant

                        Denise, that sounds like an intelligent approach. See if you can get another set of scans to determine how fast your tumors are growing and then consult with your oncologist to make your decision. If you do decide to go for the clinical trial and then start to experience more symptoms, you can always withdraw from the trial enrollment process and start on Zelboraf at any time. 

                        If you do start Zelboraf (either now or several weeks from now) you could look into PD-1 or PDL-1 clinical trials and be prepared to go that route as a Plan B. 

                        POW
                        Participant

                          Denise, that sounds like an intelligent approach. See if you can get another set of scans to determine how fast your tumors are growing and then consult with your oncologist to make your decision. If you do decide to go for the clinical trial and then start to experience more symptoms, you can always withdraw from the trial enrollment process and start on Zelboraf at any time. 

                          If you do start Zelboraf (either now or several weeks from now) you could look into PD-1 or PDL-1 clinical trials and be prepared to go that route as a Plan B. 

                          DeniseK
                          Participant
                            Well the coordinator called me back late last night. They’ll be starting recruitment in the next couple weeks, then there’s about 28 days of screening, then everything is entered and randomized which takes a week or so, then they start. So about 6-8 weeks. Don’t know if I have that long to wait. Going to see if my dr can do another scan to see if they can tell the growth rate of my tumors. I won’t qualify if I start Z already. Bummer cuz results show better results with both BRAF and MEK. Calling doc Monday.
                            Have a great weekend everyone!!
                            DeniseK
                            Participant
                              Well the coordinator called me back late last night. They’ll be starting recruitment in the next couple weeks, then there’s about 28 days of screening, then everything is entered and randomized which takes a week or so, then they start. So about 6-8 weeks. Don’t know if I have that long to wait. Going to see if my dr can do another scan to see if they can tell the growth rate of my tumors. I won’t qualify if I start Z already. Bummer cuz results show better results with both BRAF and MEK. Calling doc Monday.
                              Have a great weekend everyone!!
                            Lori C
                            Participant

                              Call the trial coordinator.  Usually they are very responsive.  If they want participants badly enough, they sometimes even hurry things up a bit if they know people are waiting.  That was my experience with one trial, anyway.  The delays are usually IRB related. Good luck with this and may it do the trick and you end up with a very very long response!

                              Lori, caregiver to Will

                              Lori C
                              Participant

                                Call the trial coordinator.  Usually they are very responsive.  If they want participants badly enough, they sometimes even hurry things up a bit if they know people are waiting.  That was my experience with one trial, anyway.  The delays are usually IRB related. Good luck with this and may it do the trick and you end up with a very very long response!

                                Lori, caregiver to Will

                            Viewing 5 reply threads
                            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                            About the MRF Patient Forum

                            The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                            The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                            Popular Topics