Physicians and scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), in cooperation with other institutions, work to improve cancer treatments through important clinical trial research.

The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) centrally administers the implementation and conduct of internally and externally funded adult oncology studies. The CTO also integrates with the Pediatric Trials Office located at Primary Children's Medical Center for studies of cancers in children. Huntsman Cancer Institute’s CTO has a large portfolio of cancer-related studies, including treatment, behavior, prevention, imaging, diagnostics, genetics, and pain.

The specific objectives of the CTO include the following:

• Support investigators with centralized protocol development, initiation, and management
• Assist in preparing and processing of regulatory documents, as required by federal and University of Utah (U of U) policies
• Negotiate budgets and contracts with study sponsors and the U of U Office of Sponsored Projects
• Screen new patients for protocol eligibility and assist investigators in the enrollment of study subjects
• Provide quality data to sponsors
• Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations

Patients can help by participating in clinical trials, which aid doctors and researchers in the discovery of new treatments that provide hope for the future.

The HCI Community Outreach Program raises cancer awareness and educates the public about cancer risk, prevention, and care. Presentations in English and Spanish are provided to public groups upon request. Topics include the following:

• General cancer information
• Cancer prevention and screening
• Clinical trials
• Early detection of breast and cervical cancer
• Skin cancer prevention and early detection
• Tobacco prevention and cessation

For more information, please visit the Cancer Education Outreach Program.

“I had an aggressive form of breast cancer and enrolled in a clinical trial for a new drug called Herceptin. Today, Herceptin is widely used because it’s so effective. I was one of the first to get it, and believe I’m alive today because of it.” -GayeRene, breast cancer survivor