The Importance of Early-Phase Cancer Clinical Trials

By Madelyn Olsen, Communications Consultant, PHASE ONE Foundation

Cancer touches nearly every life—whether directly or through someone we love. In fact, 1 in 5 people will face the life-altering words: "You have cancer." While remarkable progress has been made in cancer treatment over the past few decades, many patients still lack access to therapies that could save or extend their lives. The path to those treatments begins long before they reach the headlines— often in small, early-phase clinical trials that quietly lay the foundation for the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

Why Early-Phase Trials Matter

Every cancer treatment available today began as a bold idea tested in a clinical trial. Clinical trials occur in phases: early-phase trials (Phase I and II) focus on safety, dosage, and initial efficacy, while later phases expand to larger populations and long-term outcomes. Early-phase trials, though crucial, remain the most difficult to fund.

This funding gap exists largely because early trials generate less immediate commercial interest. Large pharmaceutical companies and federal funding agencies typically prioritize later-phase studies with clearer paths to market, leaving early-stage research dependent on philanthropic support. As a result, many innovative and potentially life-saving ideas never progress beyond the initial research stages.

The Patient Perspective

Clinical trials are essential for advancing research and improving treatments for future patients, but they also offer immediate hope and potentially life-extending options for those currently facing cancer. Patients who participate in clinical trials play a critical role— not only benefiting from innovative approaches but also contributing directly to medical progress.

Yet common misconceptions about clinical trials, especially early-phase trials, can create unnecessary hesitation. Rather than being a "last resort," early-phase studies typically offer promising new therapies alongside standard-of-care treatments. Educating patients and their families about this reality can help them make informed decisions and access potentially life-changing options sooner.

Investing in the Long Game

Investing in early-phase clinical trials means playing the long game: the journey from initial discovery to FDA approval often spans 10 to 15 years, requiring patience, vision, and sustained financial support. Philanthropic investment at this critical early stage ensures groundbreaking ideas can mature into widely available treatments.

Early funding allows researchers to thoroughly explore new ideas, gather essential preliminary data, and refine potential therapies. By strategically supporting promising science at its earliest stage, donors can accelerate research, shape the future of medicine, and improve countless lives in the years to come.

The Ripple Effect of Early Investments

The benefits of early-phase funding extend beyond a single patient or diagnosis. Progress in one area can unlock insights in others— especially as cancer research increasingly focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of the disease rather than its location in the body.

Additionally, early philanthropic investment often acts as a catalyst, attracting larger-scale funding from institutions and government agencies. This multiplier effect accelerates the development of treatments, shortens timelines, and ultimately delivers more treatment options to patients more quickly.

About PHASE ONE

For 25 years, PHASE ONE Foundation has been dedicated to a singular mission: advancing cancer research by funding early-phase clinical trials. Since our founding in 1999, we’ve raised more than $24 million and supported over 55 medical grants for clinical cancer research in 28 different cancer types— helping bring five life-saving drugs to market and many more on the horizon. While rooted in Los Angeles, our funding extends across Southern California and to leading research institutions nationwide, advancing innovation at both the local and national levels.

To learn more about PHASE ONE’s legacy and the impact of our research, we invite you to explore our 2024 Annual Report.