Introduction:
The subject of this symposium will be a critical re-examination of ethical issues in phase I oncology trials. Given recent developments in cancer research and medical care, this symposium will provide a unique, timely and much-needed opportunity to bring together researchers, oncologists, ethicists and palliative care specialists to discuss the following questions. 1) How have phase I trials changed in recent years, and what are the implications of that ethically? 2) What kinds of people volunteer to participate in these trials, in terms of their attitudes and beliefs about treatment, and their prognosis? 3) Has the assessment of risks vs. benefits been affected by the evolution of phase I trials, and should it be? 4) What are the empirical data on patients’ ability to provide truly informed consent? 5) Should palliative care specialists be involved in the phase I trials, and if so how? These topics will be examined in the context of the trajectory travelled by cancer patients, from exhausting standard treatment options, to phase 1 trial participation, to end-of-life decision-making and care.