Clinical Trial
Also known as: trial, research study
A carefully designed research study that tests new cancer treatments in patients.
Definition
A clinical trial is a research study in which new treatments — or new combinations of existing treatments — are tested in patients under strict scientific and ethical oversight. Almost every cancer drug in use today was first proven in a clinical trial.
Trials are run in phases: Phase I establishes safety and dose; Phase II looks for early signs of effectiveness; Phase III compares the new treatment with the current standard of care; Phase IV studies long-term effects after approval. Joining a trial is voluntary, free for the patient where the study sponsor covers costs, and may provide access to therapies that are not yet routinely available. Discuss eligibility with your oncologist.
See also
- Protocol — A standardised plan that specifies the drugs, doses and schedule for a course of cancer treatment.
- Targeted Therapy — Drugs designed to attack specific molecules involved in cancer growth, with less harm to normal cells.
- Immunotherapy — Treatment that helps the body's own immune system find and destroy cancer cells.
- Oncologist — A doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating cancer.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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