A clinical trial is one of the final stages of a long and careful research process. The search for new treatments begins in a laboratory, where scientists develop and test new ideas. If a new drug seems promising, the next step may be testing a treatment in animals to see how it affects certain diseases in a living organism and whether the drug may have harmful effects. If the treatments are successful in animal models, studies are then done for several years in patients to find out if these promising treatments are safe and effective. The ultimate goal of all clinical research is to cure disease and improve quality of life.

Why are clinical trials important?

First, clinical trials contribute to knowledge and progress against diseases. If a new treatment proves effective in a clinical study, it may become a new standard treatment that can help many patients. Almost all of the treatments we have in medicine today have come from successful clinical trials. Clinical trials may also answer important scientific questions and suggest future research directions. Progress made through clinical trials, now allows people to live longer lives and in some cases beat diseases that were previously untreatable.

Second, patients who take part in a clinical trial may be helped by the treatment(s) they receive. They get up-to-date care from physicians or research experts, and they receive either a new treatment being tested or the best available standard treatment for their disease. Of course, there is no guarantee that a new treatment will produce the best results. Also, new treatments may have unknown side effects, but if a new treatment proves effective or more effective than a standard treatment, patients who receive the new treatment may be among the first to benefit.