Hollings Horizons Winter/Spring 2026 - Magazine - Page 15
Choosing the unknown
As it turned out, another hospital had offered Matt the same clinical
trial when he was first diagnosed, but he turned it down.
“I didn’t want to be a guinea pig,” he said. “I didn’t know what a
clinical trial was, and no one really explained it to me. No one told
me it was a successful medicine. And when I said I wasn’t interested,
the conversation was over; there was no follow-up. If I’d been more
informed, I might have started on the trial much earlier.”
As the cancer spread and traditional treatments failed, the trial
became his lifeline. Matt’s oncologist at Hollings, Mariam Alexander,
M.D., Ph.D., explained that the drug, tailored to his rare genetic
mutation, had a promising track record – minimal side effects and
patients living longer than expected.
“When I joined the clinical trial, I put my faith in MUSC. I felt very
comfortable and confident taking it based on what the oncologist
said. I’m glad I gave it a chance because it’s what’s keeping me here
today.”
More than a year later, Matt continues to take the trial medication
every three weeks and get regular scans and blood tests. Alexander
told him he will stay on the medication “until it doesn’t work
anymore,” meaning the tumors start growing or spreading again.
So far, the results have been encouraging: The spot on his brain has
not grown in months, and recent scans showed that the medicine
is still doing its job in keeping the lung cancer stable. Those results
and the high level of support he received throughout treatment have
made him an advocate for clinical trials.
A relentless advocate and supportive
community
Matt insists that making it through such a harrowing medical journey
is thanks to Rachel. Through it all, she has been his fiercest advocate
– managing appointments, chasing test results, pushing against
delays and keeping his doctors informed.
“She’s the main reason I’m still here,” he said.
“I’ve been so active in his care; he has no idea what’s going on,”
Rachel added, laughing. “He has no idea when his appointments are.
He just goes when I tell him. He manages cancer, and I manage him.”
That journey has been full of setbacks – misdiagnoses, surgeries,
frightening side effects, hospital stays and oncologist transitions, to
name a few. Matt even had to close his boat repair shop because
he was unable to work anymore. All of that pushed him close to
his breaking point more than once. But each time, he and Rachel
regrouped and pressed forward.
When we first met, I was going through a tough time,” Rachel said.
“And he told me, ‘It’s something we’ll grow through.’ That’s been our
motto ever since. We keep growing together."
Matt has also drawn strength from the community. A local benefit
thrown by a friend brought a record-breaking crowd as neighbors
and friends from across the state came out to show their support and
raise over $100,000.
“I’ve learned that cancer doesn’t just affect me. It’s my family, my
friends, all kinds of stuff,” Matt said.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CLINICAL TRIALS
► Clinical trials can test drugs, devices or procedures targeting physical health, mental health
or behavioral health.
► A clinical trial for a drug might be testing a brand-new drug. Or it might test an existing drug
being used for a new purpose or in a new combination with other drugs.
► Drugs in clinical trials have gone through years of preclinical development and testing.
► Clinical trials take place in three phases before a drug or device can receive FDA approval.
Phase 1 trials assess safety. Phase 2 trials assess effectiveness and look for side effects.
Phase 3 trials assess effectiveness and adverse reactions and compare the new treatment to
existing treatments.
► Clinical trials are strictly monitored. An Institutional Review Board (IRB), which includes
scientists and non-scientists, protects human subjects by reviewing all aspects of the trial and
approving, disapproving or requiring changes to the trial.
Scan to learn more
about clinical trials
► Clinical trials are always voluntary. Your medical team will provide the best care possible,
regardless of whether you choose a clinical trial. But clinical trials do offer an opportunity to
try a treatment that could one day be considered standard and to improve care for future
patients. If you are offered a clinical trial, ask as many questions as needed so that you
understand the trial’s purpose and why it is being suggested to you.
hollingscancercenter.musc.edu
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