Velindre is a leader in cancer research with world-class expertise and experience in developing and delivering clinical trials research.
Patients who take part in clinical trials receive cutting-edge treatment that is not otherwise available. This can benefit their own health and care but importantly everyone who takes part in a clinical trial is contributing to advancements in cancer treatment for patients in the future.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is an investigation which looks at the safety, effectiveness, and potential benefits of a new treatment or care.
This could include trialling a new drug or combination of drugs, medical device, vaccine, diagnostic test, or treatment procedure. Clinical trials measure things like how well a new treatment works, if it has any side effects and if it works better than a currently used treatment or procedure, helping people to feel better.
Clinical trials follow carefully designed and controlled protocols that outline how the study should be conducted, and they are required to follow strict ethical and regulatory guidelines to protect the wellbeing of all participants.
All Velindre’s clinical trials go through many layers of testing and authorisation by national organisations before they are offered to patients. All clinical trial patients are closely monitored throughout their treatment, and afterwards, to look after any problems that may arise.
Patients are only invited to join a clinical research trial if their medical team believes it can help them. Taking part is completely voluntary and patients can leave the trial at any time.
Why are clinical trials important?
Advancements are continually being made in research into the causes and treatment of cancer. We use clinical trials to grow our knowledge and understanding of cancer and to improve treatment and care, now and for future patients.
The treatments we use today are built on the results of clinical trials in the past and the willingness of patients to take part. In the same way, the research we are doing now will become the treatments of the future.
Are clinical trials always useful?
Clinical trials do not always result in new, better treatments. Sometimes the trialled treatment does not work or has more side effects than existing treatment. However, all the information and knowledge gained by researchers contributes to future developments in cancer treatment as we strive to provide the best possible care for our patients.