Hematology Clinical Trials

The latest clinical trials for patients with blood disorders.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a hematology condition, you want to know you’re receiving the best available care. This includes having access to the latest treatments, including emerging therapies such as hematology clinical trials. Our team can help you decide if you want to pursue a clinical trial and if there’s one that’s a good fit for you.

Hematology conditions and cancer treatment

Many conditions are either cancerous or pre-cancerous. Even when a blood disorder is not cancerous, it may be treated with some of the same medical oncology therapies used to treat cancer. For this reason, all hematology treatment at Henry Ford Health is coordinated through our cancer team.

Clinical trials for hematology conditions

Hematology faculty oversee clinical trials and research activity in all aspects of classical and malignant hematology, spanning early stage/first in human trials all the way to Phase 3 and 4 trials. These include, but are not limited to:

• Gene-based therapy for sickle cell disease
• Alternative strategies to help patients with bleeding and clotting disorders
• The use of targeted therapy in acute and chronic leukemias
• Harnessing the power of the body's innate immunity to help kill cancer cells in lymphomas and plasma cell disorders
• Trials that study how best to incorporate innovative technologies and monitoring systems—to study the molecular underpinnings of active cancer and cancer cells that have been treated with a myriad of chemoimmunotherapies

How hematology clinical trials work

Hematology trials proceed through phases. First, we determine if the approach is safe. Then we evaluate if it’s effective and works better than existing options.

The goal of a clinical trial is to gain approval for a new diagnostic technique or treatment that will help as many people as possible. Participating in trials can give you early access to promising therapies. Assuming you’re eligible, joining a trial is voluntary and always your decision.

Clinical trials must follow strict guidelines set ahead of time and made clear to participants. They are approved and overseen by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), made up of doctors, scientists, statisticians and laypeople. The board ensures a reasonable balance between expected risk and benefit.

Participating in a hematology clinical trial

To ensure the safety of participants and the usefulness of collected data, eligibility guidelines vary from trial to trial. Not everyone qualifies for a clinical trial.

Your Henry Ford hematology team works with you and your loved ones to determine if you might benefit from a clinical trial and wish to participate. Team members will explain the process further, including the potential risks and benefits.