Clinical trials are “the foundation of cancer research and lead to better treatment options and outcomes for patients,” said John Hays, MD, PhD, a James medical oncologist who treat patients with peritoneal cancers. He is also one of the leaders of the James clinical trials office and “at any given time we have between 500 to 600 clinical trial open and we put 1,000 patients a year on clinical trials, which is one of the largest numbers in the country.” In this episode, Hays explained the process of how an idea that begins in the lab (usually a new drug) goes through several different phases before it becomes approved for treatment. “Less than one percent of the Phase 1 clinical trials are ever approved,” he said, adding this is done to ensure patient safety and ensure the new treatment is an advancement over current options. “But, even if they’re not successful, we can learn something we can apply to the next trial.” He also said there is a common misconception that clinical trials are the “last resort” for patients. “It can be at any phase during treatment, from a front-line treatment setting or a later stage,” he said. “In most cases it’s adding something to the standard of care to make the standard of care work better … And, I never present to a patient that you have to do this trial. It’s always their decision and my goal is to help them understand everything, answer their questions and allow them to make the best-informed decision for them.” A new national trend in clinical trials the James is helping to lead is decentralizing the location of the trials in order to reach more patients. “We’re developing clinical trials by James people for patients all over the state and beyond,” Hays said. “We utilize tele-med and work with the patient’s local oncologist. COVID opened our eyes about what we can do from a distance.” Advancing cancer science and bringing new treatment options to patients is what motivates Hays. “We want to be there for our patients and bring them the newest and best options,” he said. “The real joy for me is talking to a patient and giving them the option to participate in a clinical trial and maybe bring them a drug [or treatment option] that isn’t available anywhere else.”