What are Clinical Trials?

'Clinical Trials' are generally: "biomedical or health-related research studies in human beings that follow a pre-defined protocol".

The trials aim is to find out if a new treatment or procedure:
(1)Is safe!
(2)Has side effects!
(3)Works better than the currently used treatment!
(4)Helps you feel better!

Click on the link to take you to an NHS Choices video on Clinical Trials.

Clinical trials in cancer look at:
(1)Risks and causes - how genetics, lifestyle and other factors can increase people's risk of cancer.
(2)Preventing cancer - using drugs, vitamins or diet to reduce risk.
(3)Screening - for people at higher than average risk, or for the general population.
(4)Diagnosing cancer - new tests or scans.
(5)Treatments - new drugs or combinations of drugs, new ways of giving treatment, and new types of treatment.
(6)Controlling symptoms or side effects - new drugs or complementary therapies.

There are 4 phases of clinical trials:
Phase 1 trials look at whether a trial treatment is safe or has any harmful effects - the research team will also find out the best dose to use.

Phase 2 trials look at how well a treatment works - only treatments that have got through these 2 phases go into phase 3 testing.

Phase 3 trials test a new treatment against the existing standard treatment - if it gives better results, it may become the new standard treatment.

Phase 4 trials are carried out after a drug has been licensed - they collect information about side effects, safety and the long term risks and benefits of a drug.

SAFETY!

GCP

What are the benefits of taking part in a clinical trial?
Clinical trials that are well-designed and well-executed are the best approach for eligible participants to:

(1)Play an active role in their own health care.
(2)Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available.
(3)Obtain expert medical care at leading health care facilities during the trial.
(4) Help others by contributing to medical research.

What are the risks of taking part in a clinical trial?

(1)There may be unpleasant, serious or even life-threatening side effects to experimental treatment.
(2)The experimental treatment may not be effective for the participant.
(3)The protocol may require more of their time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays or complex dosage requirements.