Volunteering to test experimental drugs

Participating in a medical study gives hope to cancer patient Jorma Väliaho

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By Pauliina Grönholm
     
      When the doctor first asked Jorma Väliaho, 62, if he wanted to participate in a medical study, he did not think long. He had just had an intestinal tumour removed, but he also had several metastases in his liver, and the situation did not look good.
      The purpose of the study was to test a vascular growth inhibitor normally used for treating intestinal cancer, combined with cytostatic medication. When the treatment was begun, there was still very limited information about the effects of the new drug. If things would go well, the drug might boost the effectiveness of the treatment.
      "At the time it felt like I had nothing to lose."
     
A recent survey studied Finns' willingness to participate in medical tests: about 67 percent were interested in participating in a test where they would be offered free treatment and medication.
      The patients are not offered monetary compensation. According to Väliaho, the close doctor-patient relationship is more important. "Having the same doctor and familiar medical personnel throughout the entire treatment."
      The cancer ward of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) became very familiar to Väliaho and his wife. He had to go to the hospital once every three weeks, and the treatments took several hours at a time. In addition, the treatment included several doctor's appointments, laboratory tests, and liver scans.
      "Our life has completely revolved around the illness", says Raija Väliaho.
     
Aborting the project or treatment never crossed the Väliahos' mind, however.
      "The most important thing was getting better; medical science would not be going anywhere without tests either."
      The news in spring about medical test subjects in Britain falling into a coma had the Väliahos a bit worried.
      "It did make us think, but we have always thought that you shouldn't fear the worst", says Jorma Väliaho.
      The metastases have now disappeared from Väliaho's liver. Not even his doctor can say whether or not this is because of the drug.
      Of the patients in the study, roughly half received chemotherapy combined with the new drug, and half with a placebo. The results of the study will be ready in the late autumn.
      Väliaho has his own suspicions. "The effect was so dramatic, that you can already guess by them", he thinks.
      The researcher Dr. Petri Bono from the HUS cancer clinic, does not wish to make such suppositions: "Some patients get a similar result with just the chemotherapy treatment, but side-effects offer some kind of clue."
     
Is Väliaho completely cured now? "No, since the disease has a large risk of recurrence", Bono cautions.
      Despite this, getting better marks a new phase in the Väliahos' life. "We have been longing to go to Lapland", says Raija Väliaho.
      "We will go there yet", Jorma Väliaho promises.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 7.8.2006

More on this subject:
 New rules restrict medical testing in EU
 BACKGROUND: Failed British medical test sparked safety concerns
 FACTFILE: About one in five medical tests involve treatment of cancer

PAULIINA GRÖNHOLM / Helsingin Sanomat
pauliina.gronholm@hs.fi