Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Introduction
Clinical Trials are the best way to test
whether a treatment is effective and
better than other treatments (or no
treatment).
New treatments or drugs for
diseases‘ prevention, early diagnosis
or cure are examined in a safe and
efficient way.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Introduction
Clinical studies are the fastest
and safest way to find innovative
therapies and new effective
treatments.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Introduction
As a patient, you might be
considering enrolling in a clinical
trial or you might be offered to by
your physician.
If you are interested in the
development of innovative
treatments, you can also be
proactive and increase your
knowuledge about clinical trials
by yourself.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Introduction
This tutorial will teach you the
most important facts about
clinical trials.
Finally we hope to answer any
questions you might have
about this topic.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical
Trials?
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical research aims to improve
existing therapies or to replace
them with new and better ones.
Before a new treatment is made
available for patients, it must be
tested in a clinical trial for safety
and efficacy.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are designed for
learning more about the
positive and negative effects
of a treatment.
Treatment‘s efficacy and
safety, however, can be totally
assessed only by long-term
use on patients in the daily
clinical practice.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Before being tested on
patients in a clinical trial, new
treatments must be carefully
evaluted in the laboratory.
If labs results are promising, a
clinical trial can be designed
for studing efficacy and safety
of the new treatment.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are the only effective
and safe way to test a treatment
after it has been carefully
evalutated by laboratory analyses.
Clinical trials aim to assess not
only treatments‘ efficacy but also
all the possible risks.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
New therapies need to be
statistically evaluated by clinical
trials on very large group of
similar patients (differences
among patients affected by the
same disease can quite big and
could affect the results of the
clinical trial).
Results must be systematically
reviewed and carefully
analysed.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials conducted on large
number of patients are essential for
proving the safety and the efficacy
of a new therapy or drug.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials conducted on large
number of patients are essential for
proving the safety and the efficacy
of a new therapy or drug.
True False
Your choice is
correct!
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials conducted on large
number of patients are essential for
proving the safety and the efficacy
of a new therapy or drug.
True False
Your choice is
not correct!
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
New treatments that have
been tested in a laboratory
have no risks whatsoever
when used in clinical trials.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
If a new treatment has been
previously tested in laboratory
there is no risks whatsoever
when used in clinical trials.
True False
Correct! Laboratory tests help
designing new treatments but
cannot reveal risks for patients.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What are Clinical Trials?
If a new treatment has been
previously tested in laboratory
there is no risks whatsoever
when used in clinical trials.
True False
Wrong!
New treatments can always
have unknown and
unpredictable risks.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Why are Clinical Trials
Important?
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Why are Clinical Trials important?
Clinical trials help developing
new and better treatments for
patients.
Assessing safety and efficacy of
a new therapy is a very rigorous
and long process. For this
reason, new treatments usually
take a lot of time before
becoming available for the
public.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Why are Clinical Trials important?
Clinical trials aim to enhance new
or already existing treatment
strategies or to check out new
therapeutic/diagnostic methods.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Why are Clinical Trials important?
Clinical trials also important because
they investigate the causes of
diseases and their findings are
essential for enhancing the medical
progress.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Are you considering
enrolling in a Clinical
Trial?
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in Clinical Trials?
Patients enroll in clinical trials
for several reasons.
Many people hope to benefit
from having access to a new
treatment.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
In order to avoid disappointment
you should remember that new
treatments are not automatically
better than standard ones in
terms of efficacy and safety (and
that‘s why a clinical trial is
needed!).
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Patients should be selected for a
clinical trial if they are likely to
benefit the the most from the new
treatment.
Clinical studies give them the
opportunity to get innovative and
experimental therapies not yet
available on the market.This is
especially true for diseases with no-
known cure.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Some other participants wish to
contribute to medical research
and to help other patients by
voluntarily participating to a
clinical trial.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials‘ results always represent
an improvement of the standard
available treatment.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials‘ results always represent
an improvement of the standard
available treatment.
True False
No!
Even if many clinical trials result in an
improvement of a therapy there is no
guarantee for success.
A new therapy could be as good as or
even worse the standard treatment.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials‘ results always represent
an improvement of the standard
available treatment.
True False
Yes!
Most but NOT all of the treatments
have turned out to be better than
the standard treatment.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Researchers conducting a clinical trial
hope that their new treatment is better or
at least as good as the standard one
already available.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Researchers conducting a clinical trial
hope that their new treatment is better or
at least as good as the standard one
already available.
True False
Your choice is not correct.
Reseachers always conduct a
clinical trial to improve a
treatment or to find at least an
equally good one.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
Researchers conducting a clinical trial
hope that their new treatment is better or
at least as good as the standard one
already available.
True False
Correct!
Although disappointment is possible,
researchers always intend to achieve
an improved or at least an equally
good treatment.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial
Process
(change on the right!)
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Every clinical trial is designed to
answer a series of scientific
questions about the tested
treatment.
The quality of a clinical trial and its
results heavily depends on a well
chosen clinical trial design.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
When conducting a clinical trials,
researchers must always follow a
written study plan also called study
protocol.
The protocol both ensure patients‘
safety and is essential for achieving
high quality and reliable results.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Some clinical trials are conducted
on one group of patients only, whilst
others compare two groups.
Patients of different groups must be
as much as possible similar e.g.
they must have the same medical
conditions and the same stadium of
the disease.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Patients are assigned to one group or
another (therefore receiving the new
treatment or the standard one) by a
method called randomisation, i.e the
choice is made by chance through a
random generator.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
When the study is conducted on two
group of patients, the first group is
called “controI group“ and often
receive the standard available
therapy, while the other one is called
“active group“ and is given the new
treatment.
This type of clinical trial is called
controlled trial.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
The control group in a clinical trial is
treated with the same care as the
active.
If possible, neither the researchers nor
the patients should know which group
every participant has been assigned.
This special type of randomised trial is
called double-blind randomised trial
and ensure equal treatments for both
groups.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
For many diseases there are no
standard treatment available yet. In
this case the control group receive
a dummy treatment called placebo
such as a sugar pill.
Important: For ethical reasons,
placebo control groups are not
allowed if a treatment already exists
and patients can benefit from it!
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Clinical trials firstly consider patients‘
safety and well being when testing a new
treatment.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Clinical trials firstly consider patients‘
safety and well being when testing a new
treatment.
True False
Correct!
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Clinical trials firstly consider patients‘
safety and well being when testing a new
treatment.
True False
Incorrect!
Clinical trials are firstly commited
to patients‘ safety and only in
second instance to scientific
results.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
The control group always receives the
less effective treatment.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
The control group always receives the
less effective treatment.
True False
Incorrect!
Before the clinical trial is completed, it
is not possible to tell which treatment
will be better, whether the standard
therapy or the new treatment.
Both treatments could be equally
good for the patient.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
The control group always receives the
less effective treatment.
True False
Correct!
When starting a clinical trail,
researchers cannot know yet whether
the standard therapy or the new
treatment will be better. Both
treatments could be equally good.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
For ethical reasons, if during a clinical
trials clearly one treatment clearly
shows to be better than the other one,
the study is stopped and all the
participants are given the same
treatment.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
The Clinical Trial Process
Patients should only enroll in a clinical
trial after having clearly understood
the benefits they could get and risks
they might incur in.
It is therefore essential that patients
are given clear and exhaustive
information before they agree to
partecipate.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
The informed consent gives you all
the important information about any
aspects of the clinical trial before
deciding to enroll.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
As a first step, every patient meets one
of the clinical trial researcher who will
explain in detail the possible benefits
but also risks in one-to-one talks.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
After the meeting, the researcher will
hand you out the detailed information
about the trial in written form,
because you should carefully think
about a participation.
If you decides to enroll in, you must
return the informed consent signed
and personally dated.
Of course you always have the right
to refuse taking part in the trial.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Informed consent ensures that nobody
enrolls in a clinical trial without having
received detailed information and having
personally given the consent to take part.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Informed consent ensures that nobody
enrolls in a clinical trial without having
received detailed information and having
personally given the consent to take part.
True False
Correct!
The informed consent protects
the patient‘s right for
information and ensures the
consent to the trial.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Informed consent ensures that nobody
enrolls in a clinical trial without having
received detailed information and having
personally given the consent to take part.
True False
Incorrect!
The informed consent protects the
patient‘s right for information and
ensures the consent to the trial.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
When you are partecipating to a
study, you will be countinuosly
updated with all the relevant
information about the trial which may
influence your decision to remain in
the trial.
The informed consent does not
obligate you to remain in the trial by
any means.
You can leave the clinical trial at any
time without giving any explanation!
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Once a participant has signed the
informed consent form, it is not possible
to leave the clinical trial anymore.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Once a participant has signed the
informed consent form, it is not possible
to leave the clinical trial anymore.
True False
Correct!
Participation is voluntary and
can be quit at any time.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
Once a participant has signed the
informed consent form, it is not possible
to leave the clinical trial anymore.
True False
Incorrect!
Despite a signed informed
consent, it is possible to quit a
clinical trial at any time.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Informed Consent
You should ask any questions or
doubs you might have about the
clinical trial to the study team.
It is essential that you understand the
key statements in the informed
consent about the treatment, benefits
and risks.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
What Protection Do You
Have as a Participant in a
Clinical Trial?
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Patient Safety
Basic ethical principles and legal
codes which rule the medical
practice are also valid for clinical
trials!
In addition clinical trials are
governed through further
international guidelines and UK
legislations to protect participants
and to ensure their safety.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Patient Safety
Every clinical trial is checked for
patients safety and scientific
contents by an ethics committee
and the competent authority before
it can start.
Every good study undergoes strict
quality controls by the competent
research body.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Patient Safety
Results from progressing clinical
trials are published on scientific
conferences, in journals and
reported to the authorities.
The names of the participants are
subject to data privacy. It is not
allowed to publish names of study
participants.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Patient Safety
It is standard that names of clinical trial
participants are kept secret.
True False
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Patient Safety
It is standard that names of clinical trial
participants are kept secret.
True False
Incorrect!
The names of study
participants cannot be
revealed for privacy reasons.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Patient Safety
It is standard that names of clinical trial
participants are kept secret.
True False
Correct!
It is standard in clinical trials that
names of participants are subject
of data privacy.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Where Can I Find Clinical
Trials?
-Trials Register –
change on the right!
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Trials Register
If you are looking for a particular clinical trial you can
directly ask your doctor.
In addition you can search the website of the
National Health Service for relevant trials
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Clinical-
trials/Pages/clinical-trial.aspx/
or the website of the ISRCTN
http://www.controlled-trials.com/ukctr/
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Trials Register
Registers contain public information
about recruiting and running studies,
about the place, the aim of the
study, its design and the information
about patients‘ selection criteria.
The trials register should also
contain contact information for
patients interested in partecipating.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Summary
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Summary
A clinical trial is a research study
conducted in oreder to test new
treatments on patients.
Clinical trials have precise and well
defined aims whose details are
detscribed by the study plan (protocol).
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Summary
Clinical Trials are the fastest and
safest way to make new treatments,
which are better than the standard
ones, available to the public.
Clinical studies must be approved by
ethics committee and competent
authorities which review the study plan
and give their authorization.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Summary
Participating to clinical trials is always
voluntary.
You can quit a clinical trial at any time
– despite having signed the informed
consent.
Your personal rights and data are
protected.
Introduction
Clinical Trials
Why
Clinical Trials?
Process of
Clinical Trial
Informed Consent
Patients‘
Interests
Rights and
Protection
Study Register
Summary
Summary
We hope you liked this short tutorial and
found it useful. Keep exploring the
ECRAN website and learn even more
about clinical trials!
Thank you for your kind attention!

Clinical trials - ECRAN Project

  • 1.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Introduction Clinical Trials
  • 2.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Introduction Clinical Trials are the best way to test whether a treatment is effective and better than other treatments (or no treatment). New treatments or drugs for diseases‘ prevention, early diagnosis or cure are examined in a safe and efficient way.
  • 3.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Introduction Clinical studies are the fastest and safest way to find innovative therapies and new effective treatments.
  • 4.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Introduction As a patient, you might be considering enrolling in a clinical trial or you might be offered to by your physician. If you are interested in the development of innovative treatments, you can also be proactive and increase your knowuledge about clinical trials by yourself.
  • 5.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Introduction This tutorial will teach you the most important facts about clinical trials. Finally we hope to answer any questions you might have about this topic.
  • 6.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials?
  • 7.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Clinical research aims to improve existing therapies or to replace them with new and better ones. Before a new treatment is made available for patients, it must be tested in a clinical trial for safety and efficacy.
  • 8.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials are designed for learning more about the positive and negative effects of a treatment. Treatment‘s efficacy and safety, however, can be totally assessed only by long-term use on patients in the daily clinical practice.
  • 9.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Before being tested on patients in a clinical trial, new treatments must be carefully evaluted in the laboratory. If labs results are promising, a clinical trial can be designed for studing efficacy and safety of the new treatment.
  • 10.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials are the only effective and safe way to test a treatment after it has been carefully evalutated by laboratory analyses. Clinical trials aim to assess not only treatments‘ efficacy but also all the possible risks.
  • 11.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? New therapies need to be statistically evaluated by clinical trials on very large group of similar patients (differences among patients affected by the same disease can quite big and could affect the results of the clinical trial). Results must be systematically reviewed and carefully analysed.
  • 12.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials conducted on large number of patients are essential for proving the safety and the efficacy of a new therapy or drug. True False
  • 13.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials conducted on large number of patients are essential for proving the safety and the efficacy of a new therapy or drug. True False Your choice is correct!
  • 14.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials conducted on large number of patients are essential for proving the safety and the efficacy of a new therapy or drug. True False Your choice is not correct!
  • 15.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? New treatments that have been tested in a laboratory have no risks whatsoever when used in clinical trials. True False
  • 16.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? If a new treatment has been previously tested in laboratory there is no risks whatsoever when used in clinical trials. True False Correct! Laboratory tests help designing new treatments but cannot reveal risks for patients.
  • 17.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What are Clinical Trials? If a new treatment has been previously tested in laboratory there is no risks whatsoever when used in clinical trials. True False Wrong! New treatments can always have unknown and unpredictable risks.
  • 18.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Why are Clinical Trials Important?
  • 19.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Why are Clinical Trials important? Clinical trials help developing new and better treatments for patients. Assessing safety and efficacy of a new therapy is a very rigorous and long process. For this reason, new treatments usually take a lot of time before becoming available for the public.
  • 20.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Why are Clinical Trials important? Clinical trials aim to enhance new or already existing treatment strategies or to check out new therapeutic/diagnostic methods.
  • 21.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Why are Clinical Trials important? Clinical trials also important because they investigate the causes of diseases and their findings are essential for enhancing the medical progress.
  • 22.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Are you considering enrolling in a Clinical Trial?
  • 23.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in Clinical Trials? Patients enroll in clinical trials for several reasons. Many people hope to benefit from having access to a new treatment.
  • 24.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? In order to avoid disappointment you should remember that new treatments are not automatically better than standard ones in terms of efficacy and safety (and that‘s why a clinical trial is needed!).
  • 25.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Patients should be selected for a clinical trial if they are likely to benefit the the most from the new treatment. Clinical studies give them the opportunity to get innovative and experimental therapies not yet available on the market.This is especially true for diseases with no- known cure.
  • 26.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Some other participants wish to contribute to medical research and to help other patients by voluntarily participating to a clinical trial.
  • 27.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Clinical trials‘ results always represent an improvement of the standard available treatment. True False
  • 28.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in Clinical Trial? Clinical trials‘ results always represent an improvement of the standard available treatment. True False No! Even if many clinical trials result in an improvement of a therapy there is no guarantee for success. A new therapy could be as good as or even worse the standard treatment.
  • 29.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Clinical trials‘ results always represent an improvement of the standard available treatment. True False Yes! Most but NOT all of the treatments have turned out to be better than the standard treatment.
  • 30.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Researchers conducting a clinical trial hope that their new treatment is better or at least as good as the standard one already available. True False
  • 31.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Researchers conducting a clinical trial hope that their new treatment is better or at least as good as the standard one already available. True False Your choice is not correct. Reseachers always conduct a clinical trial to improve a treatment or to find at least an equally good one.
  • 32.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Enrolling in a Clinical Trial? Researchers conducting a clinical trial hope that their new treatment is better or at least as good as the standard one already available. True False Correct! Although disappointment is possible, researchers always intend to achieve an improved or at least an equally good treatment.
  • 33.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process (change on the right!)
  • 34.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Every clinical trial is designed to answer a series of scientific questions about the tested treatment. The quality of a clinical trial and its results heavily depends on a well chosen clinical trial design.
  • 35.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process When conducting a clinical trials, researchers must always follow a written study plan also called study protocol. The protocol both ensure patients‘ safety and is essential for achieving high quality and reliable results.
  • 36.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Some clinical trials are conducted on one group of patients only, whilst others compare two groups. Patients of different groups must be as much as possible similar e.g. they must have the same medical conditions and the same stadium of the disease.
  • 37.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Patients are assigned to one group or another (therefore receiving the new treatment or the standard one) by a method called randomisation, i.e the choice is made by chance through a random generator.
  • 38.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process When the study is conducted on two group of patients, the first group is called “controI group“ and often receive the standard available therapy, while the other one is called “active group“ and is given the new treatment. This type of clinical trial is called controlled trial.
  • 39.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process The control group in a clinical trial is treated with the same care as the active. If possible, neither the researchers nor the patients should know which group every participant has been assigned. This special type of randomised trial is called double-blind randomised trial and ensure equal treatments for both groups.
  • 40.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process For many diseases there are no standard treatment available yet. In this case the control group receive a dummy treatment called placebo such as a sugar pill. Important: For ethical reasons, placebo control groups are not allowed if a treatment already exists and patients can benefit from it!
  • 41.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Clinical trials firstly consider patients‘ safety and well being when testing a new treatment. True False
  • 42.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Clinical trials firstly consider patients‘ safety and well being when testing a new treatment. True False Correct!
  • 43.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Clinical trials firstly consider patients‘ safety and well being when testing a new treatment. True False Incorrect! Clinical trials are firstly commited to patients‘ safety and only in second instance to scientific results.
  • 44.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process The control group always receives the less effective treatment. True False
  • 45.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process The control group always receives the less effective treatment. True False Incorrect! Before the clinical trial is completed, it is not possible to tell which treatment will be better, whether the standard therapy or the new treatment. Both treatments could be equally good for the patient.
  • 46.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process The control group always receives the less effective treatment. True False Correct! When starting a clinical trail, researchers cannot know yet whether the standard therapy or the new treatment will be better. Both treatments could be equally good.
  • 47.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process For ethical reasons, if during a clinical trials clearly one treatment clearly shows to be better than the other one, the study is stopped and all the participants are given the same treatment.
  • 48.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary The Clinical Trial Process Patients should only enroll in a clinical trial after having clearly understood the benefits they could get and risks they might incur in. It is therefore essential that patients are given clear and exhaustive information before they agree to partecipate.
  • 49.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent
  • 50.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent The informed consent gives you all the important information about any aspects of the clinical trial before deciding to enroll.
  • 51.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent As a first step, every patient meets one of the clinical trial researcher who will explain in detail the possible benefits but also risks in one-to-one talks.
  • 52.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent After the meeting, the researcher will hand you out the detailed information about the trial in written form, because you should carefully think about a participation. If you decides to enroll in, you must return the informed consent signed and personally dated. Of course you always have the right to refuse taking part in the trial.
  • 53.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent Informed consent ensures that nobody enrolls in a clinical trial without having received detailed information and having personally given the consent to take part. True False
  • 54.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent Informed consent ensures that nobody enrolls in a clinical trial without having received detailed information and having personally given the consent to take part. True False Correct! The informed consent protects the patient‘s right for information and ensures the consent to the trial.
  • 55.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent Informed consent ensures that nobody enrolls in a clinical trial without having received detailed information and having personally given the consent to take part. True False Incorrect! The informed consent protects the patient‘s right for information and ensures the consent to the trial.
  • 56.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent When you are partecipating to a study, you will be countinuosly updated with all the relevant information about the trial which may influence your decision to remain in the trial. The informed consent does not obligate you to remain in the trial by any means. You can leave the clinical trial at any time without giving any explanation!
  • 57.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent Once a participant has signed the informed consent form, it is not possible to leave the clinical trial anymore. True False
  • 58.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent Once a participant has signed the informed consent form, it is not possible to leave the clinical trial anymore. True False Correct! Participation is voluntary and can be quit at any time.
  • 59.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent Once a participant has signed the informed consent form, it is not possible to leave the clinical trial anymore. True False Incorrect! Despite a signed informed consent, it is possible to quit a clinical trial at any time.
  • 60.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Informed Consent You should ask any questions or doubs you might have about the clinical trial to the study team. It is essential that you understand the key statements in the informed consent about the treatment, benefits and risks.
  • 61.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary What Protection Do You Have as a Participant in a Clinical Trial?
  • 62.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Patient Safety Basic ethical principles and legal codes which rule the medical practice are also valid for clinical trials! In addition clinical trials are governed through further international guidelines and UK legislations to protect participants and to ensure their safety.
  • 63.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Patient Safety Every clinical trial is checked for patients safety and scientific contents by an ethics committee and the competent authority before it can start. Every good study undergoes strict quality controls by the competent research body.
  • 64.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Patient Safety Results from progressing clinical trials are published on scientific conferences, in journals and reported to the authorities. The names of the participants are subject to data privacy. It is not allowed to publish names of study participants.
  • 65.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Patient Safety It is standard that names of clinical trial participants are kept secret. True False
  • 66.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Patient Safety It is standard that names of clinical trial participants are kept secret. True False Incorrect! The names of study participants cannot be revealed for privacy reasons.
  • 67.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Patient Safety It is standard that names of clinical trial participants are kept secret. True False Correct! It is standard in clinical trials that names of participants are subject of data privacy.
  • 68.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Where Can I Find Clinical Trials? -Trials Register – change on the right!
  • 69.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Trials Register If you are looking for a particular clinical trial you can directly ask your doctor. In addition you can search the website of the National Health Service for relevant trials http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Clinical- trials/Pages/clinical-trial.aspx/ or the website of the ISRCTN http://www.controlled-trials.com/ukctr/
  • 70.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Trials Register Registers contain public information about recruiting and running studies, about the place, the aim of the study, its design and the information about patients‘ selection criteria. The trials register should also contain contact information for patients interested in partecipating.
  • 71.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Summary
  • 72.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Summary A clinical trial is a research study conducted in oreder to test new treatments on patients. Clinical trials have precise and well defined aims whose details are detscribed by the study plan (protocol).
  • 73.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Summary Clinical Trials are the fastest and safest way to make new treatments, which are better than the standard ones, available to the public. Clinical studies must be approved by ethics committee and competent authorities which review the study plan and give their authorization.
  • 74.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Summary Participating to clinical trials is always voluntary. You can quit a clinical trial at any time – despite having signed the informed consent. Your personal rights and data are protected.
  • 75.
    Introduction Clinical Trials Why Clinical Trials? Processof Clinical Trial Informed Consent Patients‘ Interests Rights and Protection Study Register Summary Summary We hope you liked this short tutorial and found it useful. Keep exploring the ECRAN website and learn even more about clinical trials! Thank you for your kind attention!