Download Biol 211G, First In-Class Activity: Waging War on Melanoma Prep

Biol 211G, First In-Class Activity: Waging War on Melanoma
Prep Activity
In our first activity, we will look at how the scientific method is applied in the context
of developing new treatments for human diseases. Specifically, we will look at the
clinical trials process, and how clinical trials help us make strides in treating complex
diseases like malignant melanoma.
To start, please read the National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet about Clinical Trials:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/clinical-trials
As you read, answer the following questions and then bring your answers to class on the
day of the activity (you will need to refer to them during the activity).
1. What is the purpose of a Phase I trial? How many subjects typically participate in a
Phase I trial?
2. What is the purpose of a Phase II trial? How many subjects typically participate in a
Phase II trial?
3. What is the purpose of a Phase III trial? How many subjects typically participate in a
Phase III trial?
4. Which type of trial (Phase I, II or III) is most similar to a controlled laboratory
experiment? Explain your answer.
5. What is a placebo?
6. In a phase III cancer treatment trial, is the experimental treatment compared to a
placebo? Or to something else? Explain your answer.
7. In a phase III trial of a cancer treatment drug, what is the independent variable?
8. In a phase III trial of a cancer treatment drug, what are some possible dependent
variables?
9. In a phase III trial of a cancer treatment drug, what treatment does the control
group receive? (this is related to question #6)
10. If neither the patient nor the doctors know which treatment the patient is
receiving, is this trial “open-label”, “single-blinded” or “double-blinded”? Be sure you can
define each of these terms and explain your answer. [Hint: Refer to the Dictionary of
Cancer Terms at the National Cancer Institute, and search the dictionary for “blinded
study”.]