Frequently Asked Questions
What is a clinical trial? How do veterinary clinical trials impact human medicine? What would my participation involve? Find out the answers to these questions and more.
Typical questions and answers that can help you understand how clinical trials play such a critical role in the development of new treatments for naturally occurring diseases:
What is a clinical trial?
When a new medical product or clinical approach is being studied, it is helpful to determine whether or not it will be effective in treating a disease or condition, and to what extent. Investigators try to determine this by measuring certain outcomes in the patients that are taking part.
How do veterinary clinical trials impact human medicine?
Not only does medicine in the veterinary setting benefit the animals we aim to treat, it brings us one step closer to treating humans with comparable diseases.
Many diseases that occur in humans are also seen in animals. Our research at the Dick Vet can help to provide information that will can be used in human medicine as the basis for new treatments for similar diseases.
What would my participation involve?
Each trial will be different and will have its own treatment schedule. You will likely have to attend the Dick Vet once a week for the duration of the trial and your dog’s disease and quality of life will be assessed throughout the treatment period and for a minimum of 4 weeks after the treatment has ended. Your dog may have a biopsy of the tumour taken prior to commencement of the study, during the treatment period and again after the final treatment. Blood samples will be taken weekly while on study to assess health. Additional diagnostics such as radiographs, ultrasound or CT scanning will be performed if required.
Are there any risks?
There should be no significant risks at this stage in the development of a drug however any potential issues would be discussed prior to enrollment.
Are there any benefits?
Your dog may or may not benefit directly from participating in this study. Your dog may benefit if the treatment improves quality of life or controls tumour progression. If treatment proves ineffective in your dog then your participation in this research will benefit other animals and people in the future by helping us learn more about how cancer can be effectively treated.
If I decide to start the study, can I change my mind?
Your decision to participate in this research is entirely voluntary. You may choose not to participate. If you do decide to participate, you may change your mind at any time and withdraw from further participation in the study. Be assured that this will have no bearing on the subsequent care of your dog.
Will my confidentiality be protected?
Researchers for this study might use information learned from this research in scientific journal articles or in presentations. None of this information will identify you or your dog personally.
What if I have questions?
If you have questions about this research, please contact us on Vetclinicalresearch@ed.ac.uk