A clinical trial is a research study that uses volunteers as human “guinea pigs” to test new treatment options for an illness. These trials can involve a number of innovations, from new types and dosages of medications to new styles of revolutionary therapy options. Doctors monitor the participants for success of the therapies and note any side effects. Enrolling in a clinical trial is a gamble, but the rewards often outweigh the risks.
Many people elect to participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Many want a more direct involvement in the treatment they receive; others want to take a more active role in helping others with their condition, and patients with terminal afflictions such as mesothelioma feel that they do not have anything to lose by trying new treatments. These brave individuals greatly contribute to the understanding of their condition and further medical science’s options for treating mesothelioma.
Clinical trials proceed through segments or phases.
Phase I monitors the effectiveness of treatment or drug that attempts to treat the condition. Reactions and side effects are noted, and preliminary evidence is assembled into manageable data.
Phase II expands the number of participants to better gauge the occurrence of proper function and side effects.
Phase III takes data from the two prior stages and compares it to older or current treatments by assigning treatments to random participants to see which one is the most effective. This stage of testing involves more people and often takes place simultaneously at several different treatment facilities. Depending on the results of phase III testing, a drug or treatment is either approved for general use, discontinued due to negligible effect or dangerous consequences, or sent back for further testing.
Phase IV monitors the safety of a drug once it is in common use, and provides further information on side effects and related health concerns.
Source : http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com
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