Phase One Foundation
As we launch into 2012 with our new site and new objective (to become the ultimate online resource for LA Moms), we have committed ourselves to supporting specific local causes that we believe benefit and enhance the lives of our MomAngelenos. Cancer is, unfortunately, a disease that has affected so many of us. We all have a friend or family member who has been afflicted by this disease. And, luckily, most of those friends and family members are cancer survivors! Phase one trial drugs play a large role in the survival of many cancer patients.
This is why MomAngeles supports Phase One Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Phase I clinical research and treatment program
s for patients with cancer. If you would also like to support Phase One you can donate online or attend their upcoming fundraising event on Wednesday March 21 at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.
“Once a new idea or novel drug is identified in the laboratory, the FDA requires three levels of clinical testing prior to the approval of that drug for widespread use. These studies are usually referred to as trials in Phase I, II, or III. The focus of a Phase I trial is to determine the appropriate dose and schedule of a given drug and its side effects. Patients enrolled usually have advanced cancers, which have progressed through standard therapy or for which standard therapy does not exist. Sometimes these patients have been through “everything” and still function extremely well. The Phase II trial applies the Phase I information on dose and schedule and tries to get a hint of efficacy. The Phase III trial is the final set of studies which usually involves hundreds, if not thousands, of patients worldwide. Clinical trials are the only way to understand what are the best and safest therapies available to patients with any disease.”
