Cancer Clinical Trials & Drug Development

A clinical trial is a research study that involves people. These studies help doctors find better ways to treat and prevent cancer and other diseases.

Clinical trials are the primary method for discovering new treatments. They help doctors learn about the prevention of diseases and identify treatments for symptoms and side effects.

Clinical trials involve human volunteers. Before starting any clinical trial, doctors must demonstrate that the new treatment has the potential to be more effective than existing treatments.

Clinical trials might be conducted to study:

• A new drug or combination of drugs
• A new method of surgery or radiation therapy
• New treatment methods
• Behavioral changes that may help people live longer

Volunteer For Clinical Trials

Clinical trials require volunteers. If you choose to volunteer, doctors will determine if a specific clinical trial is suitable for you. They look for volunteers who share several characteristics, including:

• Age
• Cancer type or stage
• Certain health problems or conditions
• Current health status
• Previous treatments

Drug Development

Doctors and scientists work to find better ways to care for people with cancer by developing and studying new drugs.

Three main steps are involved in developing a new drug:

Preclinical research

Research conducted before clinical trials begin, during which important safety data is collected.

Clinical research

Studies performed on people to evaluate medical, surgical, or behavioral interventions.

Post-clinical research

Research that continues after a drug is approved, focusing on its long-term effects and safety.