News: Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials

October 9, 2006

What is a Clinical Trial?

Clinical trials are research studies involving people. They seek to answer specific scientific questions to find better ways to prevent, detect, and treat diseases, and to improve care for people with diseases. During a trial, more and more information is gained about a new treatment, its risks and how well it may or may not work.

What are the different types of Clinical Trials?

Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs, or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.
Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent disease in people who have never had the disease or to prevent a disease from returning. These approaches may include medicines, vitamins, vaccines, minerals, or lifestyle changes.
Screening trials test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions.
Quality of Life trials (or Supportive Care trials) explore ways to improve comfort and the quality of life for individuals with a chronic illness.

Why minorities should participate in Clinical Trials?

Certain minority populations are more likely to suffer from specific diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.
Minorities can respond to medications differently.
Without adequate representation of these populations in clinical trials, researchers cannot learn about potential differences among groups and cannot ensure the generalization of results.
African American, Hispanic and Asian trial participants represent over 1/3 of our population, yet in 1999 only 6% African Americans, 1% Asians and 1% Hispanics, for a total of 8%, participated in clinical trials.