Clinical trials
Treatments and outcomes for people living with myeloma are constantly improving, and the main way this happens is through clinical trials, where new treatments can be developed, evaluated and compared with current treatments.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials provide a robust and ethical way to find out if new treatments are safe and effective, and the results of these trials help to decide which treatments will be reimbursed through the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Participating in a clinical trial can provide the individual person with myeloma with a better outcome, and can also benefit other people with myeloma who may eventually receive the treatment being trialled.
The phases of a clinical trial
Pre-trial phase
Initial laboratory-based research
Phase 1
First study in people to test the treatment’s safety, work out the safest dose, and identify side effects
Phase 2
Builds on phase 1 and beings to work out how well the new treatment works
Phase 3
Tests if the new treatment is better than the current standard treatment, and compares side effects, survival and quality of life
Phase 4
Once the new treatment has been approved and registered by the TGA, phase 4 looks at long-term safety and benefits of the treatment in a wider population. Not all clinical trials have this phase.
Is there a clinical trial suitable for me?
At any time, there are a number of clinical trials available for myeloma treatment in Australia.
Each trial is designed to focus on treating different stages of myeloma, and each will have its own inclusion and exclusion criteria that need to be met for someone to be included in the study.
To learn more about clinical trials currently available in Australia, talk to your treating team and ask if there is a clinical trial that might be suitable for you.
You can also search for clinical trials on Australian Cancer Trials or ClinTrial Refer
Clin Trial Refer also has an app that you can download on your smartphone. Once you have found any trials of interest, you can print out the details and discuss them with your family and treating team.
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