Aiming at curing SCI, ChinaSCINet is organising a series of clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of different promising therapies and trying to turn the laboratory achievement into clinical practice.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials (also called medical research and research studies) are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed.
Trial Subject
All the clinical trials organised by ChinaSCINet are listed in Clinical Trials of this web. All the trials are conducted or will be conducted by the investigators in participating hospitals. ChinaSCINet itself will not directly enrol any subjects or deliver any treatment to the subjects. Any people who would like to particitpate in these trials are welcomed to contact the investigators participating in different trials shown in Clinical Trials.
What should people consider before participating in a trial?
People should know as much as possible about the clinical trial and feel comfortable asking the members of the health care team questions about it, the care expected while in a trial, and the cost of the trial. The following questions might be helpful for the participant to discuss with the health care team. Some of the answers to these questions are found in the informed consent document.
- What is the purpose of the study?
- Who is going to be in the study?
- Why do researchers believe the experimental treatment being tested may be effective? Has it been tested before?
- What kinds of tests and experimental treatments are involved?
- How do the possible risks, side effects, and benefits in the study compare with my current treatment?
- How might this trial affect my daily life?
- How long will the trial last?
- Will hospitalization be required?
- Who will pay for the experimental treatment?
- Will I be reimbursed for other expenses?
- What type of long-term follow up care is part of this study?
- How will I know that the experimental treatment is working? Will results of the trials be provided to me?
- Who will be in charge of my care?
What kind of preparation should a potential participant make for the meeting with the research coordinator or doctor?
- Plan ahead and write down possible questions to ask.
- Ask a friend or relative to come along for support and to hear the responses to the questions.
- Bring a tape recorder to record the discussion to replay later.
All the clinical trials organised by ChinaSCINet have been or will be approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to make sure the risks are as low as possible and are worth any potential benefits. An IRB is an independent committee of physicians, statisticians, community advocates, and others that ensures that a clinical trial is ethical and the rights of study participants are protected. All institutions that conduct or support biomedical research involving people must have an IRB that initially approves and periodically reviews the research.
What should I do if I would like to participate in the trials organised by ChinaSCINet?
To learn as much as possible about the clinical trial and then contact the investigator.
You may also leave your basic information and contact here. The investigators may retrieve the data and contact you if they think you might be suitable candidate for the trials.
