Clinical Trials Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical trials provide crucial information about the safety, effectiveness, and proper use of new drugs, diagnostic tests, and treatments. They are usually done in the laboratory or clinic setting of a major institution such as a university or hospital, or at a pharmaceutical company or private medical practice.

Clinical trials are divided into four categories, or phases:

Phase I: Drugs are given for the first time to a small group of people. Phase I trials are not designed to show effectiveness; they are designed to show that the drug is not toxic in humans. Little is known about the drugs in Phase I trials, because this is when they are usually tested in humans for the first time or are evaluations of a new dosage or new mode of administration.

Phase II: Drugs are given to a larger group of participants to further evaluate their safety.

Phase III: Drugs are given to large groups of people to confirm their effectiveness, monitor side effects, and compare them to established FDA-approved treatments.

Phase IV: These studies are usually done after the drug has reached the mainstream patient population and are FDA-approved. Information continues to be collected to determine long-term use effects.

Treatment: These trials test new drug treatments to prevent recurrence or progression of disease. They may also test new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.

Prevention or risk-reduction: These trials seek better ways to prevent disease in people who are at high risk of developing a certain cancer.

Diagnostic: These trials attempt to find better tests to diagnose disease.

Quality of life: These trials explore ways to improve quality of life for individuals with a chronic illness.

Governing bodies made up of physicians, representatives of institutions, the lay public, and state and federal employees closely monitor every stage of a trial. This is done to ensure the safety of the participants as well as the integrity of the information being collected from the study. All drugs must be approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) before they are given to the American public.

Often, participants have access to drugs or treatments not yet available to the general population. These drugs can also be expensive and in limited supply. Participation in a clinical trial may entitle the enrollee to additional medical attention from physicians and nurses. Enrollees also know they are helping mankind develop new therapies for future generations of patients.

Frequently, enrollees must submit to additional tests and visits to their physician’s office to monitor their progress. There is a commitment of time and travel associated with most trials. Because there are no guarantees with trials, the participant may not derive any benefit from the treatment and may even experience adverse side effects. Some participants may be randomly placed in a group that does not receive any treatment of the trial drug or may receive a placebo (a nondrug substitute).

Please be aware that Phase I trials are not designed to show effectiveness; they are designed to show that the drug is not toxic in humans. Little is known about the drugs in Phase I trials, because this is when they are usually tested in humans for the first time or are evaluations of a new dosage or new mode of administration.

Generally, there is no additional charge for the enrollee. Although there are costs involved, they are usually paid for by the sponsor of the trial or by the enrollee’s health insurance company.

In some cases, the institution sponsoring the trial compensates the physician or group enrolling the patients. Those conducting clinical trials incur expenses—such as research staff, facility, drugs, and medical supplies—and the compensation offsets those expenses.

Depending upon the criteria collected and the phase involved, trials can last from a few weeks to five years or more.

Because the medical team is closely monitoring the enrollee’s health condition, immediate measures can be taken should a decline in health occur. The patient’s health will not be compromised because he or she is enrolled in a trial.

Currently, trials are offered at our Stemmer, Macon, Kennestone, Canton, and Athens locations.

All clinical trials include guidelines about who can participate in the study. The guidelines, or criteria, are based upon such factors as age, type of disease, medical history, and current medical condition. Before joining, a person must qualify by meeting the specific criteria set up for that trial.

Yes, a participant may leave a trial at any time.

Talk to your primary care physician about whether enrolling in a clinical trial is right for you or contact us for more information.