Announcing ALK Positive ClinWiki, A Better Way to Search for Clinical Trials
The main register of worldwide clinical trials is ClinicalTrials.gov, which has a search function. But searching for “ALK lung cancer” on ClinicalTrials.gov is a frustrating exercise. Oddly, you will be directed to many studies that exclude ALK lung cancer. The ALK lung cancer trials in ClinicalTrials.gov are not sorted by line of treatment, so it is hard to find the trials that apply your clinical situation. In addition, the highly scientific language can obscure what treatment is being offered.
Just in time for Lung Cancer Awareness Month, ALK Positive, Inc. is presenting a website where you or your clinician can search for clinical trials that are recruiting for ALK-positive lung cancer. ALK Positive has partnered with ClinWiki, a non-profit who provides a free web-based application to help patients with serious illnesses understand their clinical trial options. ALK Positive volunteers have been working with ClinWiki to design a website that enables you to search for clinical trials by location, line of treatment, or your own keywords, like medication name.
The trials in the ALK Positive ClinWiki database include those that are recruiting specifically for ALK, along with trials that are recruiting for general lung cancer but may include ALK. Each trial has been screened by a volunteer to make sure it applies to those with ALK-positive lung cancer. In addition, we have added some non-technical comments to help you understand the purpose of each trial. The trials in the ALK Positive ClinWiki database correspond to those in our monthly clinical trials spreadsheet, which will continue to be published.
We will launch ALK Positive ClinWiki in early November. To get a sneak peek at how ClinWiki works, visit ClinWiki.org.
Clinical trials play an important role in the long-term survival of many lung cancer patients. Below is a compilation of resources that will help ALK-positive patients and their care teams identify suitable clinical trials that are open to them.
ALK LUNG CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL HELP AND SEARCHING
ALK Positive Support Group Clinical Trials Spreadsheet*
GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer - LUNGMATCH
LUNGevity Online Clinical Trial Finder
CenterWatch Clinical Trials Search
MassiveBio Clinical Trials Search
General Info about ALK NSCLC Clinical Trials
As of October 2021, there are at least 50 clinical trials that are recruiting specifically for people with ALK-positive lung cancer. Many of these trials have multiple sites worldwide. Since ALK-positive lung cancer is a rare disease, it is difficult for any one oncologist to be aware of all the trials available. You can advocate for yourself and find a clinical trial that may be a good fit for you at any juncture in treatment.
*Spreadsheet developed by ALK Positive Volunteer Ellee Urban and ALK Positive MPAC in August 2018. Updated monthly and posted in the ALK Positive Support Group.
Disclaimer: these trials have been consolidated by a volunteer and should not be considered exhaustive. Listing of these trials is not an endorsement, and ALK Positive does not recommend one trial over another. Please talk with your doctor about these or any trials you are interested in.
Author: Ellee Urban