The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains responsibility for the health care of US veterans through an extensive system of medical centers and outpatient clinics across the country. Approximately three million veterans receive care in this system each year. In addition to the delivery of health care, the VA is also committed to clinical research in many fields of medicine, including cancer. More than fifty VA medical centers are affiliated with the National Cancer Institute’s cooperative group program, and many institutions that are part of major academic medical centers also actively participate in NCI-sponsored clinical trials.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsors and coordinates an extensive clinical trials program that helps to evaluate new and more effective ways of treating cancer in nearly all anatomical sites and in all stages of disease. Their programs have become the means by which treatments for cancer have evolved over the years.
In January, 1997, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cancer Institute signed an agreement, to become effective in January, 2000, that is intended to increase access of eligible veterans to all phases of NCI-sponsored prevention, diagnostic and treatment clinical trials. Under this agreement, the VA will provide coverage for eligible veterans to participate in a broad range of clinical trials at VA facilities nationwide, and, in selected cases, may also pay medical care costs of veterans who enroll in NCI-sponsored trials offered at non-VA facilities.
NCI-sponsored trials are defined as:
- Trials reviewed and approved by NCI staff.
- Studies conducted by NCI cooperative groups.
- Studies conducted in clinical and comprehensive cancer centers under an NCI-approved protocol review and monitoring system.
- Protocols performed under the direct support of an NCI peer-reviewed grant.
Veterans covered include:
- Veterans with a VA-determined service-related health problem.
- Former POWs.
- Veterans exposed to environmental hazards while in service and who need treatment related to that exposure.
- Veterans receiving a VA pension.
- Veterans of World War I.
- Veterans who are Medicaid eligible.
- Veterans who are non-service-connected and meet certain income requirements.
At the present time, many VA medical centers are affiliated with National Cancer Institute cooperative groups, and some centers that have affiliation with major academic medical centers are actively participating in NCI-sponsored clinical trials of new cancer agents. Under special circumstances, the VA may authorize access to non-VA facilities.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, clinical trials available through the VA system may be an option.
Currently, there are three clinical trials available at VA Centers:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Dayton, OH
- Phase II Study of AZD2171 in Patients With Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Click here for an abstract of this trial - Phase II Study of Pazopanib Hydrochloride in Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Click here for an abstract of this trial
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Indianapolis, IN
- Phase II Randomized Study of Pemetrexed Disodium Combined With Either Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in Patients With Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma of the Pleura
Click here for an abstract of this trial
A separate federal government program encourages business to hire veterans.
