Current clinical trials

Clinical trials or research studies compare new treatments with old ones or changes in the way treatments are given. Trials are carefully designed to minimise risk and make sure that no harm can come to patients. There is a very rigorous process to make sure that this happens and that only the most worthwhile and best designed trails can recruit NHS patients.

There is a lot of consultation and discussion before a patient is entered into a trial and patients can withdraw from a clinical trial at any time.

Patients can only enter trials if they meet the right criteria – if all of the clinical conditions meet the trial protocol. Many patients are not suitable for trials for different reasons – e.g. previous treatment, stage of disease.

In the UK all research trials supported by the NHS are registered on a national portfolio, the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) Study Portfolio, and which provides a UKCRN User Guide (PDF) to explain how to use the site.

To followng links are to lists of research trials currently recruiting patients:

UKCRN bowel cancer research trials

UKCRN prostate cancer research trials

UKCRN liver cancer research trials