Clinical trials are a part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Afterward they may become the standard of care for patients.
Clinical trials can study multiple areas, including:
- New ways to prevent, detect or treat diseases
- New drugs, new surgical procedures or devices or new ways to use existing treatments
- Improving the quality of life for pets with chronic illnesses
Veterinary clinical trials need approval by multiple committees before they can start. These committees make sure that the research plan adheres to a standard called Good Clinical Practice, which ensures all data is accurate, patients get the highest level of care and that the patient’s welfare and rights are protected.
What are the benefits of clinical trials?
The specifics of each clinical trial are different, but in general the benefits include:
- Patients will receive the newest treatment or a state-of-the-art treatment that is unavailable outside of the study
- Access to experts and additional care from clinical trial staff
- Part or all of the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment may be covered
- Participants help other pets or people with the same disease and contribute to advancing human and veterinary medicine
BBVCTO has partnered with the Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences to provide a comprehensive approach to study and treat diseases in veterinary patients so that both humans and animals benefit from what is learned.
