May is Clinical Trials Awareness Month

Clinical trials are research studies that help scientists develop new medications and treatments to address and prevent disease. People volunteer for clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Some want to contribute to discovering health information that may help others in the future. Others seek clinical trials because the treatments they tried for their health problem did not work or there is no known treatment. The UCSF - Washington Cancer Center enrolls qualifying oncology patients in clinical trials to give them access to cutting-edge drug therapies and treatment methods, as well as hope for improved quality of life or a cure.

Bogdan Eftimie, MD, is a UCSF hematologist-oncologist and the cancer center’s medical director. He oversees a robust program driven to advance patient care by identifying promising and new therapies for every patient. In consultation with his colleagues at UCSF, he finds the best solutions for the most challenging cases.

“Clinical trials are an excellent way to move therapeutic goals forward,” said Dr. Eftimie. “Research is best conducted under the umbrella of a rigorous, controlled environment where we protect our patients and ask the right questions. We assess each patient’s needs, determine their eligibility, and enable them to participate in the right trial at the right time.”

The UCSF - Washington Cancer Center currently participates in nearly a dozen clinical trials for breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer. The clinical trials are part of larger, national studies under the guidance of UCSF Health and the National Cancer Institute. Clinical trials follow a plan called a clinical trial protocol. Some involve investigational medicinal products (such as new chemotherapy agents or hormone therapy), while others focus on radiation treatment protocols.

Matching Cancer Patients with Clinical Trials

Patients are referred by their primary care provider to Washington Health oncologists, who present the options for clinical trials to those who meet set criteria. cancer center currently has three clinical research coordinators on staff who work with physicians to help determine which patients may qualify and benefit from different clinical trials.

“Researchers follow clinical trials guidelines when deciding who can participate in a study,” Dr. Eftimie explained. “These criteria are based on factors such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, treatment history, and other medical conditions. Not all patients will be able to participate in the clinical trials, but we try to offer this option to all who are eligible.”

According to UCSF - Washington Cancer Center Senior Clinical Research Coordinator Maria Lopez, a Fremont native, “We are thrilled to bring oncology clinical trials to our patients in the Tri-City Area so they don’t have to travel to San Francisco for treatments. Because of our affiliation with UCSF Health, patients have convenient access to world-class, academic-level cancer care near home.”

To meet exponential growth in recent years, the cancer center is currently undergoing a major expansion set to open in January of 2026. The new 15,000-square-foot cancer center will feature all cancer clinics and supporting services under one roof. “Enrolling patients in clinical trials and coordinating their treatments is a complex process,” said Lopez. “Having all the oncologists, pharmacy, and infusion center in one space will better facilitate coordinating care for our patients. The expansion will also allow us to accommodate a larger patient population which will pave the way for more clinical trials.”

To learn more about oncology clinical trials at UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, including currently active trials, go to WashingtonHealth.com/ClinicalTrials