ACE Meeting. Aug, 6, 2026. 1:00pm ET, 10:00am PT.
Cancer trials are only useful to patients if they compare a new treatment against a current and meaningful standard of care. This presentation will explain, in plain language, why control arms matter, how changing treatment standards can affect trial results, and why sometimes the standard of care may change during a trial. From an advocate perspective I’ll talk about what information from a recent Friends of Cancer Research Panel that addressed these challenges in modern oncology trials, including multi-regional studies and external control arms.
In 2008, at age 38, Kristin McJunkins was diagnosed with Stage IIIa cutaneous melanoma. Surgical intervention, including lymph node removal, resulted in clear margins, but limited treatment options were available at the time. As clinical trials were reserved for later-stage patients, Kristin received the standard interferon protocol, which offered less than a 10% chance of preventing recurrence. The landscape of melanoma treatment has advanced significantly in the last 15 years, with numerous therapies now approved by the FDA, thanks to ongoing research and clinical trials. Motivated by her patient perspective, Kristin has contributed as a consumer reviewer on research panels for both the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), serving as a full voting member. These opportunities have enabled Kristin to advocate for patient-focused research, ensuring proposals address diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for those living with melanoma. A cancer diagnosis brings unique challenges, particularly when treatment options are limited. Through advocacy, Kristin aims to give hope and voice to the cancer research community as a national priority.
