How important can a webpage be for your health? Extremely, if you’re a cancer patient looking for novel studies and alternative treatments that could improve your quality of life – or even provide a cure.

And if you’re a researcher with an innovative approach to cancer treatment who is looking for funding to lead a bold and unprecedented clinical trial, it is a lifeline.

The web page is the portal to a revamped research section provided by The Gateway for Cancer ResearchSM (www.demandcurestoday.org/cancer-research). It makes it easier than ever to match cancer patients with Gateway-funded researchers running Phase I/II clinical trials focusing on conventional as well as complementary and alternative therapies, unique drug combinations and new drug investigations.

This enhancement to the web research portal also showcases the breadth and depth of The Gateway’s cancer research funding over two decades and its unequivocal commitment to innovative research applied to nearly 20 types of cancer.

“The Gateway is providing a needed service for patients and researchers alike,” says Eveline Mumenthaler, Director of Research and Grants, of The Gateway for Cancer Research. “The new research section pulls together important information. Patients are able to find relevant studies easier and it is easier for investigators to understand the research funding program or how their interests might be in sync with The Gateway’s mission.”

One of the many new features on the research web pages is that it tells patients whether current clinical trials funded by The Gateway are accepting new patients. Included is a link to the National Institutes of Health clinical trial database, where prospective patients can find information on how to apply for inclusion in a specific trial.

Other highlights:

• Easy access to a broad range of clinical studies. (The new web format describes all Gateway-funded research since the organization’s inception, about 97 cancer clinical trials in all.)

• Sorting by cancer type.

• Brief clinical trial descriptions and one-click access to more detailed information.

• An alert that shows which trials are accepting patients.

• A link for applications to participate.

• Images and video of researchers and patients talking about specific studies. (Coming soon.)

A new section for researchers - with information about trials, calls for specific research proposals initiated by The Gateway, and online applications for grants – will launch by late June.

The site also gives patients an easy way to determine clinical trial status which provides a simple way to find current or recently closed trials and serves as a guide for information about past research.

Patients can quickly determine if a specific trial is accepting participants without wading through voluminous information and then just as easily apply, a process than can sometimes take a long and winding path.

The one-click to an expanded page of information offers both “laymen’s terms” as well as a more detailed clinical description. The terminology allows for better understanding at all levels. In addition, some researcher and patient videos will be provided.

“We are very excited about the expanded research section on our website,” says The Gateway President Lynette Bisconti. “It helps fulfill our mission to support innovative clinical research that aims to help cancer patients feel better, live longer or be cured today. We now list every trial we’ve ever funded, and we lay out the information in a clear and concise manner.”

We will continue to expand and further complement our research section on our website. For more information about Gateway-funded clinical trials, visit: www.demandcurestoday.org/cancer-research.

ABOUT THE GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH

The Gateway for Cancer ResearchSM is a non-profit organization committed to funding innovative research and bold new ideas for lifesaving treatments. We’re demanding cures to improve and save the lives of today’s patients, now. Our mission is to fund clinical research to speed breakthroughs to the bedside to help cancer patients live longer, feel better and be cured today.” Since our founding in 1991, The Gateway has funded $20 million in leading-edge research, including blending the best of conventional and complementary/alternative therapies. Follow us on Twitter@DemandCures and become a fan at facebook.com/GatewayCancerResearch.