Brain Tumor Clinical Trials

Ivy Navigator

No one should have to cope with a brain cancer diagnosis alone. Our knowledgeable Ivy Navigators serve as guides and advocates, helping patients and their families navigate the complex journey of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. They will be with you through every step of the trial screening process and can help with the following:

• Referrals for free or discounted patient lodging and transportation
• Obtaining medical records from Barrow Brain and Spine or the hospital
• Retrieving external medical records and MRI/CT scan images
• Providing information on future Ivy trials

To reach an Ivy Navigator, please call (602) 406-8605 or email [email protected].

Nurse Navigator

One of the hallmarks of the Ivy Center is the personalized and compassionate care provided by our nurse navigators. Throughout the diagnosis and treatment journey, our nurse navigators provide support, advocacy and access to resources for brain tumor patients and families. They work closely alongside physicians, social workers and other members of your care team to craft individualized care plans.

Practice Coordinator

The practice coordinator handles all scheduling and works with patients and their caregivers to develop an itinerary of clinic appointments, surgery, drug start date and more. For patients coming to us from outside of the Phoenix area, the practice coordinator may assist with travel arrangements as needed to ensure each patient’s journey is as smooth as possible.

Clinical Research Nurse

Each time you visit the Ivy Center, you will meet with one of our clinical research nurses. They are your main point of contact throughout the Phase 0 clinical trials process, and most importantly, they serve as your advocate.

Neuro-Oncologist

Within our specialized team, neuro-oncologists leverage extensive scientific and clinical data to tailor personalized treatment strategies for patients. They meticulously assess each case, considering various factors such as tumor type, stage and patient health, to determine the most effective course of action.

Informed Consent

The informed consent document offers patients detailed and complete details regarding the clinical trial. It ensures that the person providing consent fully understands the information presented and can make their own decision to either accept or decline the treatment or to participate in research. During this process, the participant is given the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification about any aspect of the treatment or study. Importantly, taking part in a clinical trial at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center is voluntary and you can leave the study at any time.

Tumor Genetic Analysis

If you consent to participate in an Ivy Phase 0 clinical trial, the next step is to test available tumor tissue to see if it meets specific genetic criteria. Generally speaking, the genetic testing for each study takes 10 days. If eligible, the research team will coordinate with the surgical team to create your visit schedule. The number of visits will vary between trials. Our team will make sure you are aware of what is to be expected and when.

Out-of-State or International Patients

If you are coming to us from outside the Phoenix area to participate in a clinical trial, your length of stay will depend on your unique circumstances and treatment plan. Patients and families may need to stay for several days on the first visit and up to six weeks if the patient advances to an expansion phase of the study. Be sure to check out Planning for Your Visit for information on lodging and transportation.

Costs Involved in Participation

As part of a clinical trial at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, the study drugs will be provided free of charge; however, the patient and/or their health plan/insurance company will be responsible for some or all of the costs of treating the tumor in the study, including any standard medical care, such as surgical resection. We encourage all patients to ask their study doctor to discuss the costs that will or will not be covered by the study, including who will pay the costs of treating possible side effects.

Clinical Trial Patient Safety

Clinical trials in the United States are approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) which ensures that any risks are minimal when compared to potential benefits. This is an independent committee responsible for ensuring the ethics and rights of participants are protected.

Patient Participation

Your involvement is completely voluntary, and helps researchers uncover better ways to treat, prevent, diagnose and understand brain tumors. You may or may not directly benefit from participating in the study; however, the information gained from this study will help other people in the future.

People choose to participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons:

• To try a new and promising treatment method
• To contribute to the development of future treatments
• To help find a cure for a specific disease or illness

Each patient’s circumstances are inherently different, but our treatment philosophy emphasizes transparency and a commitment to investigate every possible avenue for experimental therapy. While there are many facilities offering brain tumor clinical trial options across the United States, the protocols and experimental therapies in our clinical trials program are only available at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center and our clinical affiliates.

A patient can withdraw from a clinical trial at any time by notifying the study staff. If a patient decides to leave a study, they will not be penalized or lose any benefits in their clinical care