Clinical Trials- Introduction
A clinical trial is a research study using people for the trial. Treatment trials answer certain questions about new ways to improve cancer care. The result of such research is that many people with cancer live longer and more comfortable lives.
There are many types of clinical trials. The type most often used at BHOA are treatment trials. Treatment trials involve people who have cancer as the subjects. They are designed to answer certain questions about, and evaluate how well, a new treatment or a new way of using a standard treatment works. These trials test many types of treatments, such as:
- New drugs
- Vaccines
- New approaches to surgery or radiation therapy
- New combinations of drugs
There are also three phases of clinical trials. Phase one tests a limited number of healthy subjects who are under strict medical supervision. BHOA is usually involved in phase two or three because the study involves a larger group of people. A phase two trial's purpose is to test the effectiveness of the product and determine optimal dosage. Phase three tests the effectiveness of the product against standard treatment or a placebo if there is no standard treatment.
What are the eligibility criteria for a clinical study?Each study has guidelines for who can or cannot be part of the study. The guidelines describe features that must be shared by all who take part. The criteria differ from study to study. Examples of the guidelines are age, sex, medical history, and certain types and stages of cancer. Guidelines are developed by scientists and medical professionals.
Who sponsors clinical trials?Clinical trials are supported by many different sources. For cancer trials, most of the studies come from government supported agencies such as the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health. Drug companies and medical institutions also sponsor studies.
