Cancer research and clinical trials
Fighting cancer with research, technology and advanced training.
Today’s standard of care was yesterday’s clinical trial.
All cancer treatments began as research. Be a pioneer — and potentially the first to benefit.
Join the front lines in the fight against cancer.
Help change the outcome, not only for your cancer journey, but for those diagnosed after you.
Cancer care integrated with research.
We’re advancing national standards of care to help you live longer and have a better quality of life.
Leading-edge cancer trials and research in Pennsylvania
For over 40 years, we’ve been participating in trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) — one of the largest cancer research funders in the world. As a selected hospital system in Pennsylvania participating in the NCI Community Oncology Research Program, we’re bringing many prestigious clinical trials right to your community, at a Geisinger clinic near you.
Our cancer clinical trials are research investigations in which you can volunteer to test new drugs and treatments, such as:
- Cancer-fighting drugs (including chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells
- Cancer surgery techniques
- Devices (including tumor-treating fields that destroy tumors with electricity)
- Screening tests to detect cancer earlier
We also explore how to improve quality of life for patients with cancer — and for their loved ones — with whole-person care research, such as:
- Supportive care approaches to reduce symptoms caused by cancer and prevent or reduce side effects of cancer treatment
- Survivorship care to improve care received after treatment and manage long-term continuation of successful treatments
- Cancer care delivery to reduce financial hardship and improve social support during cancer treatment
- Care coordination and support for the unique needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer
Enhancing care through research – only at Geisinger
Incorporating research into what we do makes us better. That’s why we operate as a clinic-based research department. This allows us to integrate clinical trials directly into the care plans of Geisinger patients diagnosed with cancer, while remaining under the supervision of their dedicated cancer specialists.
Here, our physicians are not only skilled healthcare providers but trained clinical investigators. Backed by the latest research and cutting-edge technology, our doctors are equipped to provide you with care that’s as effective as it is compassionate.
The best choice for cancer clinical trials
As a Geisinger patient, you have the unique opportunity to be on the forefront of discovery of the latest treatments available. Consider this: All the care patients receive today was at one time a clinical trial. We offer:
- Dedicated cancer research team
A team of Geisinger professionals is dedicated to accessible cancer research. And we’re supporting the discovery of innovative new drugs and procedures that directly target specific cancers. - State-of-the-art technology
You benefit from our investment in exciting technologies that offer superior care. These include the highly effective CyberKnife® and TrueBeam® systems, minimally invasive treatments that precisely target cancer cells while sparing the healthy surrounding tissue. - Expert oversight for clinical trials
All clinical trial medications have oversight by our Investigational Drug Pharmacy for safe monitoring and timely delivery. - Fellowship-trained cancer specialists
Our Cancer Center has one of the largest teams of fellowship-trained cancer specialists in the region. Fellowship training means extra years of specialized training beyond medical school, so they bring a high level of expertise to their practice. - Precision medicine that’s all about you
Precision medicine lets doctors personalize treatments based on a genetic-level understanding of you and your disease. This approach includes using interventions proven effective against cancers with specific genetic markers, made accessible through our ongoing research and clinical trials.
Join our genetic cancer research effort
Our MyCode® Community Health Initiative analyzes and sequences DNA to detect cancer risks earlier. Your participation, as a patient with cancer, helps fight and prevent the disease for future generations.
Clinical trials FAQs
- Phase II trials test the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
- Phase III trials test new cancer treatments against the current standard of care.
Geisinger is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of research participants and promoting excellence in all aspects of research. Learn more about Geisinger's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and what it means to volunteer as a research participant.
You can also check out the National Cancer Institute’s article addressing this question. You’ll learn about informed consent, institutional review boards and how trials are closely monitored to protect you.