(BPT) - Sponsored by Regeneron
Some of the most important medical conversations start with a simple question: What are my treatment options?
For people navigating a health condition, a clear understanding of what's available can help them feel more confident when discussing decisions about their care. For some people, a clinical trial may be one of those options. Yet, many know little about clinical trials. Learning more can help patients feel better prepared to have conversations with their doctor and determine whether a clinical trial is something they may want to consider.
New medicines depend on clinical trials
Clinical trials are carefully designed research studies involving human volunteers. They help answer important questions about a potential new medicine, including: How safe is it? Does it work? Does it cause any side effects?
The information gathered through these studies is reviewed by health authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine whether a potential new medicine is safe and effective enough to be prescribed to treat a condition.
There are clinical trials for all types of diseases and conditions. Most approved medicines available today were studied in clinical trials. For physicians, clinical trial results can help inform care decisions for their patients, underscoring the important connection between clinical research and everyday medical care.
Awareness supports informed decisions
Clinical trials play an important role in medicine, but many people don't know how they work or why they matter.
According to a Regeneron survey conducted by The Harris Poll, approximately 9 in 10 people who previously took part in a clinical trial or had a loved one previously participate said they would enroll or recommend it to others.1 Yet only about 5% of people in the U.S. have ever taken part in a clinical trial.2
To Bari Kowal, SVP, Development Operations & Portfolio Management at Regeneron, this points to a need for greater awareness.
"The more people know about clinical trials, the more informed they may feel talking with their doctor and making decisions about their care," she said. "That's why we're working to raise awareness about clinical trials. Through clinical trials, we can answer more questions, develop more potential treatments and discover more possibilities."
Regeneron — a biotechnology company with more than 175 active clinical trials in more than 50 countries — works with doctors around the world to research new treatments for serious diseases, including eye conditions, allergies, cancer, heart and metabolic conditions, neurological diseases and rare diseases.
Participation is personal
Many factors affect whether a clinical trial is right for someone — their condition or disease, treatment goals and personal preferences.
For anyone considering a clinical trial, the decision often comes down to individual circumstances and goals. Some people want to contribute to research that could help future patients. Others may have a condition or disease with no approved medicine or may want to try a different treatment.
Whatever their motivation, every participant helps move research forward.
"While there is no single reason someone participates in a clinical trial, every participant is building a legacy that may help patients and families today and for generations to come," said Kowal.
Safety is central
Before a person enrolls in a clinical trial, they have the opportunity to learn about the study and what participation would involve. This is also an important time to ask questions about safety and learn about the safeguards in place and how participants will be monitored throughout the study.
Clinical trials follow strict rules for safety and ethics, and independent review boards oversee each study to help protect participants. Depending on the study, participants may get the study medicine, a placebo (a look-alike with no active drug) or the current standard treatment.
Healthcare providers and research teams closely monitor participants at every step of the way. Safety is always the top priority of the clinical trial team and participants can withdraw at any time.
Bringing clinical trials into the conversation
A common misconception is that clinical trials are only something to consider after all other options have been exhausted. But clinical trials may have a place at different points in a person's medical journey.
Consider speaking with a doctor about whether a clinical trial might be right for you or a loved one. If you're interested in learning more about clinical trials, visit: clinicaltrials.regeneron.com/why-clinical-trials-matter.
References:
- Regeneron. Data on file.
- Jiang S, Hong YA. Clinical trial participation in America: The roles of eHealth engagement and patient-provider communication. Digit Health. 7 (2021). doi: 10.1177/20552076211067658.
This sponsored article is presented by Brandpoint.
