Why are Clinical Trials important?
Animal data help to predict the biological effects and toxicity of a new drug but cannot be directly extrapolated to humans due to species differences. The only way to know the actual effects of a drug in human beings is through human experiments or trials. Well designed trials conducted based on sound scientific principles and standards (Good Clinical Practice) generate good quality data for interpretation and regulatory approval.
Advances in medicine and science result from new ideas or approaches developed through research. However, any new treatment can carry risks as well as benefits. Clinical trials help identify how safe and effective a treatment is for its intended use. In the U.S., new drugs or devices must be shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials of a certain number of patients before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can approve them for use. Until then, they are considered investigational. For existing treatments, clinical trials can find out which might be the best for certain types of patients, which might be the most cost-effective, or which might be easier to give. Trials also can help confirm or refute common medical beliefs. For example, aspirin’s protective effects against heart attack have been proven time and again. On the other hand, although “everybody knows” that a diet high in fiber can prevent colon and rectal cancer, a recent study has shown that this conventional wisdo
Advances in medicine and science are the results of new ideas and approaches developed through research. New cancer treatments must prove to be safe and effective in scientific studies with a certain number of patients before they can be made widely available. Through clinical trials, researchers learn which approaches are more effective than others. This is the best way to test a new treatment. A number of standard treatments were first shown to be effective in clinical trials. These trials help us find new and better treatments.
• Through clinical trials, researchers learn which approaches are more effective than others. This is the best way to test a new treatment. A number of now-standard treatments were first shown to be effective in clinical trials. These trials helped to find new and better treatments. Advances in medicine and science are the result of new ideas and approaches developed through research. New treatments must be proven safe and effective in scientific studies with a certain number of patients before they can be made widely available.
