Who can take part in clinical trials?

 

Each trial has strict criteria – or guidelines – on who can be involved. These are called “inclusion criteria”. They can include:

• age
• the type and stage of your cancer
• your previous treatment
• your medical history
• other medical conditions
• your general health – for example how well you are feeling or how active you are.
  

We have provided the main inclusion criteria for each clinical trial listed on our website, but there may be other criteria for taking part. Your consultant will be able to explain whether a trial is suitable for you.

Even if you are suitable to join a trial and have given your consent, screening tests for the study may show up something that means you don't meet the criteria after all. Factors that mean a person isn’t suitable for a trial are called “exclusion criteria”, and are mainly there to make sure the trial is safe for the people taking part. It can be very disappointing and frustrating if the screening tests show that you are not suitable for the trial. You will still be given the best treatment and care available outside the trial. Speak to your consultant or nurse about your treatment options.

There are a number of clinical trials for people with pancreatic cancer. We have an up-to-date list of trials in the UK.

What happens with the results of clinical trials?

Medical researchers have a duty to publish their results. Sharing research findings can show what was learned from the trial, and any improvements it could make to treatment and care. The findings from trials may be published on websites and medical journals. Or they can be presented at meetings and conferences for health professionals.

Everybody taking part in a trial will receive a patient information sheet which usually explains what will happen to the results of a trial. Ask your consultant or nurse how you can find out about the results.

Even if a trial is successful and the treatment works, it can take a long time before it is used in the NHS. If the treatment involves a new drug, it will need to be independently approved. This is done by the following organisations in the UK:

• the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England
• the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) in Scotland
• the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) in Wales
• the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (HPSS) in Northern Ireland.

These organisations will look at the results of all the studies involving the treatment, and decide whether it is effective and should be funded on the NHS. 

Find out more

• Open clinical trials for pancreatic cancer in the UK
• What are clinical trials?
• What types of clinical trials are there?
• How do I decide if I want to take part in a clinical trial?