Overview

Patients may be interested in participating in clinical studies or learning about clinical research studies.  Patients can find links to search for clinical studies here at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and/or search for studies across the nation.  We also have provided links to national registries where patients can sign up in order to be updated about current cancer clinical studies.   Please click on the links below to learn more about a clinical research opportunity or organization.

Local Clinical Studies

Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute  This link connects patients to a full listing of studies offered by our own Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute

National Clinical Studies

• Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups  The Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life and survival of cancer patients by increasing participation in cancer clinical trials.
• National Cancer Institute  Search NCI's list of 8000+ clinical trials now accepting participants.  Learn what clinical trials are, how they work, why the are useful, and more
• WISER Sister: Women in Steady Exercise Research
  This is a five-year study for women at elevated risk of developing breast cancer. This study will examine the effect exercise has on estrogen levels. This is important because exercise might reduce risk for breast cancer through this physiological change. The study will involve 160 women age 18 and older who are premenopausal. 
• Cleveland Clinic Study: Genetics of Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
  This clinical study is designed to study three genes: SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD. Enrollment into the study must be facilitated by a healthcare provider and participants must have at least one pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. The conditions Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome must be ruled out for participation.
  

Registries

• The Early Detection Research Network High Risk Registry
  Individuals who carry a genetic mutation and have a hereditary predisposition to cancer can sign up and become a member of the high risk registry.  The goal of the high risk registry is to identify individuals who may want to participate in early cancer detection studies and therefore, help advance cancer prevention.
• Mid-Atlantic Cancer Genetics Network
  The Mid-Atlantic Cancer Genetics Network's objective is to build a regional and national registry of patients with a history of cancer.  The participants in the registry can volunteer for research studies and in this way, help researchers discover new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer.
• Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry
  The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry is located at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. The organization is an international registry of families with two or more relatives with ovarian cancer. The registry offers ovarian cancer research, an ovarian cancer hotline, newsletter, and informational pamphlets.
• Johns Hopkins Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry
  The Johns Hopkins Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry (JHHCCR) is a resource for patients, families, health professionals, and researchers. It offers cancer screening recommendations, up-to-date information about genetic causes of colorectal cancer, refers patients to genetic counselors, and provides educational materials and research opportunities. 
• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Early Onset and Familial Gastric Cancer Registry
  The purpose of this registry is to provide a database of the individuals at highest risk for gastric cancer. Registry participation includes filling out a questionnaire on gastric cancer risk factors and family history of cancer, as well as providing tissue and blood samples for future studies.