Experimental therapies, also called clinical trials, are treatments that are not yet approved by the FDA. They may be medicines, surgeries, or approach to radiation therapy.
Experimental therapies have already been tested for safety but have not been tested for effectiveness. For instance, there may be a medicine that is used for other types of tumors but hasn’t been used yet in brain tumors. Or an experimental therapy may involve combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy in new ways.
We participate in research and clinical trials that give you access to the latest experimental therapies. We are one of the only centers in the country that offers targeted therapies based on your brain tumor’s DNA. We offer a wide range of clinical trials, so you have more treatment options than anywhere else in the region.
Who Is a Candidate?
All of our patients, including those who undergo craniotomies, receive care designed to help them recover faster. Most patients will be able to go home the day after surgery.
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, you should talk to your care team about your treatment options.
What to Expect
To enroll you in a clinical trial or experimental therapy, your doctor has to make sure you fit the requirements of the study. These requirements may include that you:
- Are in otherwise good health, such as no heart disease
- Are within a certain age range
- Have a certain type or stage of brain tumor
- Have received or not received certain treatments
Clinical trial requirements can vary greatly. Your doctor will help you determine if you qualify. You may need additional imaging tests, blood work, or other tests to ensure you can enroll in the study.
Once you are enrolled, you will receive treatment. Your treatment may follow a specific schedule with specific times for follow-up. It’s important that you keep all appointments so your doctor can monitor how the treatment is working or if it is causing side effects.
Experimental therapies may be very effective or not effective at all. Because they are still being studied, there is no way to know for sure how it will affect you or your tumor. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, you should always speak to your physician.
Once you have received the full treatment described in the study, you and your doctor can make a plan for your future treatment.
Why Choose Us?
Groundbreaking brain tumor treatment. Experts from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and UHealth make up one of the largest and most complete teams for brain tumor treatment in the United States. Through multi-disciplinary cooperation, our team employs innovative procedures like awake craniotomies, Gamma Knife® radiosurgery, and many other techniques. We use the least invasive neurosurgical techniques on both adults and children, which reduces recovery time and makes a significant difference in your quality of life.
Dedicated brain tumor experts. Your care team consists of specialized physicians and researchers who are committed to brain tumor care. Your team may include neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists, and other physicians who focus solely on treating brain tumors. Their years of experience and expertise help you find the right treatment for you.
Innovative research that changes the future of brain tumor care. As the only academic medical center in the area, we are on the cutting edge of brain tumor treatment and research. As a patient at UHealth, you also have access to the innovative research and the latest in clinical trials. Our ongoing translational and clinical research has spawned promising treatments like the heat shock protein vaccine and targeted therapies designed for your specific type of brain tumor.
International leaders in brain tumor care. We play a vital role in the community, thanks to our groundbreaking research and patient care for people in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. We’re turning Miami into the healthcare capital of the Americas. We’re creating one of the premier brain tumor centers in the country.
Surgical expertise. We perform thousands of brain tumor surgeries every year and care for more brain tumors than any other health center in Florida. Our skilled neurosurgeons are consistently pioneering new treatments. From minimally invasive spine surgeries to awake craniotomies, we offer unique surgeries you cannot find anywhere else in the region.
Concierge service. Patients do not have to figure it all out alone at UHealth. Patients are assigned a concierge coordinator who is there for you and your family while you are in our care. They connect you with other providers you may need, walk you through the surgery process, and can answer any questions you or your family may have.
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