Stanford Cancer Clinical Trial Stories

Before two-year-old Noah was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, his family’s biggest concern was getting his older brother off to preschool on time and deciding what was for dinner. His family now treasures and embraces the little moments of life.

“Our clinical trial experience has been phenomenal. At the time we were diagnosed, we were told that there's a fifty percent survival rate. I don't think we would be here today without the clinical trials that we have access to. The advice that I would give for people considering clinical trials is to consult with their own oncologist and try a clinical trial.”

The trial has helped me get back to living my life, my way. I choose to participate because I want to help advance cancer medicine (and spend a little more time with my granddaughter too).

I was very fortunate to be selected to participate in Stanford’s clinical trial. Due to my condition I had hundreds of basal cell carcinomas for over 3o years and watched them disappear in only a few months. It has greatly improved my quality of life.

At just three months old, Ryan Frazier was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. For his parents, Steven and Carmen Frazier, this was the unthinkable. 

“I had no idea what neutrophils were. I didn’t even really know what leukemia was,” recalls Steven. “It was a completely foreign world—shocking, terrifying. Nothing prepares you for that when you have a baby.”

After six months and five rounds of inpatient chemotherapy Ryan finally achieved remission. But by the time he was two, the leukemia had returned. This time, it had spread to his central nervous system, with tumor infiltration around the optic nerves—threatening not only his vision but his life. With all standard treatment options exhausted, Ryan’s parents were told his only hope lay in a Syndax clinical trial located hours away from home. 

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Michael had never previously been sick with anything worse than colds, flus and the usual childhood maladies. But over five years ago he was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. After attempting multiple therapies, he was referred to the Hu5F9-G4 trial at Stanford. He received  the experimental treatment, and discovered his cancer was significantly reduced. Read more...

Looking to the future, Tina thinks that the new “CAR-T” immunotherapy that many of the investigators with whom she’s working will be a game-changer in cancer treatment. With this type of therapy, researchers genetically modify a person’s own T-cells (the cells that seek out harmful microbes and cancer) to destroy cancer cells.  Read more...

Colon Cancer

The trial gave me a second chance at life. The previous chemotherapy was grueling, but this trial has enabled me to live a fulfilling and vibrant life, raising my children and excelling in my job. It has been the best thing I could ever imagine. Moreover, I embrace the opportunity to pioneer in this field, inspiring others and witnessing the groundbreaking advancements in cancer research. It is an incredible honor for me as a patient who deeply cares about this space.

Participating in my second clinical trial has showed me that there are so many opportunities available to us to win this battle against cancer.

Brain Cancer
Participating in a clinical trial has been an incredibly positive experience for me, and I've discovered that many other patients share the same perspective. When it provides an opportunity to enhance survival chances or even find a cure, why not participate?

I am on a clinical trial for colon cancer. The immunotherapy treatment is saving my life! I have been on it over a year and I'm very healthy compared to when I was on chemotherapy. I'm grateful to Stanford for letting me do this. The cancer is either shrinking or staying the same but not spreading. I have some side effects but Stanford keeps me comfortable. I'm fighting towards remission!

Kidney Cancer
About six years ago I went to a doctor for a persistent cough that I was having, and he said to me as long as you're here let’s do a chest X-ray as well.  And the result was they found five or six spots in my lungs, and following a couple of weeks of different tests, scans, and biopsies, it was determined that I had stage four renal cell cancer in my lungs.

At that point, I decided I needed to change my way of thinking, and I needed to take charge of my own health. Over the past five years, I’ve averaged about 30 trips to Stanford.  Each trip is 140 miles, and I gladly make that trip because of the care that I get here and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be part of a clinical trial here at Stanford. 

In the face of cancer, from the day I was diagnosed, I now live everyday as my last day and I live fully in the moment. I would never have imagined, during my prime life stage with a promising career and future, that I would be diagnosed with terminal lung cancer without any sign of illness or physical discomfort. But life happens, and when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I'm am so glad I participated in Stanford's clinical trial. It is through my participation which proved positive results in which has allowed me to lead a normal, active life all the while giving me more precious time to enjoy with my family and friends.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma
I'm a firm advocate as a survivor of a clinical trial. And you know, I think one of the important things about clinical trials is it’s easy to give up hope when you're faced with something like cancer. But clinical trials give patients hope.

I was never diligent about self-exam, but that day in the shower, with my soapy hands, I casually felt my breasts. That’s when I felt a lump. In that moment, I intuitively knew I had cancer. When I learned there is no standard treatment protocol for triple negative breast cancer, my breast specialist recommended that I consider a clinical trial.  With his guidance, support and knowledge of available trials, plus my own research, the choice became clear. I am happy to report that I had a complete response to the trial and today I am cancer free! Less than five months after treatment ended. I was able to reach my goal of climbing to 14,000 feet in the Kumbu region of Nepal! Life is good.

Lung Cancer
Clinical trials, since the beginning of my diagnosis, have always been at the fore of my thoughts.  I learned very quickly that clinical trials nowadays are ‘not’ the end of the road for people.  If anything, it’s the opposite.