Each clinical trial is designed to answer specific, scientific questions about treatment methods. Before clinical trials are introduced to patients, the agents are tested for years in a lab setting for safety and effectiveness.

The Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute offers our patients access to national clinical trials through our affiliations with the National Cancer Institute, Nebraska Cancer Research Center, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Eppley Cancer Institute. Our emphasis on clinical trials results in a higher percentage of patients enrolled in clinical research studies compared to the national average.

Saint Elizabeth participates in the following trials. As with all clinical trials, patients who enroll must meet specific criteria. Our research nurse can help determine if a treatment option is right for you. For more information, call 402-219-7912.

Breast Cancer

RTOG - 1005
A Phase III Trial of Accelerated Whole Breast Irradiation with Hypofraction Plus Concurrent Boost Versus Standard Whole Breast Irradiation Plus Sequential Boost for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Collaborative Registry
The Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute has partnered with the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center on a research study called the Breast Cancer Collaborative Registry (BCCR), which is a web-based registry used in the development of prevention and treatment strategies against breast cancer. The BCCR is developing a national breast cancer resource to track information from breast cancer patients, women at increased risk for breast cancer, and their family members.

Participants are asked to provide answers to questions about their medical history, diet and lifestyle habits, environmental exposures, and family history. By providing your health information, researchers will study the factors that influence the risk of developing breast cancer as well as prognosis and the quality of life for breast cancer patients. Researchers may also identify individual who might benefit from screening measures to detect breast cancer at an earlier and potentially more treatable stage.

Head and Neck Cancer

RTOG - 0920
A Study of Postoperative Radiation Therapy (IMRT) +/- Cetuximab for Locally-Advanced Resected Head and Neck Cancer

Prostate Cancer

RTOG - 0534
A Phase III Trial of Short Term Androgen Deprivation With Pelvic Lymph Node or Prostate Bed Only Radiotherapy (SPPORT) in Prostate Cancer Patients With a Rising PSA After Radical Prostatectomy

RTOG - 0815
A Phase III Prospective Randomized Trial of Dose-Escalated Radiotherapy with or without Short-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Patients with Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Registry
The Florida Robotic Radiosurgery Association (FRRA) launched the first registry for prostate cancer patients treated with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). The registry is designed to track surrogate treatment endpoints including prostate specific antigen (PSA), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), sexual health in men (SHIM), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, urine and bowel health, in addition to physical and survival data. Participating patients will be monitored in follow-up for three years.

Center for Translational Research

Saint Elizabeth is participating in a national research program called Center for Translational Research that explores how genes affect the growth and development of cancer tumors. The foundation of this research is a biorepository of patient samples, including blood and tissue samples, used for analysis to identify cancer signatures that indicate cause, risk for disease and recurrence or best treatment for that individual. Through this approach, future discoveries will help guide physicians everywhere to make more informed care decisions, ultimately leading to the best care possible. Learn more.