Clinical trials are research studies that use human volunteers to test the safety and effectiveness of new health interventions such as drugs, surgical procedures and screening tools to diagnose various diseases. The trials generally involve being randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which receives the study treatment, or a control group, which receives either standard treatment or a placebo. In blind trials, participants do not know which group they've been assigned to.
Psoriasis trials often examine investigative drugs, which may have preliminary names like MM-093, CEP-701 and CD7. Trials also may examine the use of an already-approved drug for a new purpose. For example, the eczema medication tacrolimus (Protoptic) is currently being studied for people with psoriasis, while the biologic agent etanercept (Enbrel), which is approved for adults with psoriasis, is now being studied for use in children.
There are several potential benefits to participating in a clinical trial. First, it may allow you to gain access to a new treatment before it becomes widely available. Second, you probably will be closely monitored and receive excellent care while participating in the trial. You will be playing a highly-active role in your own health care, and you can have the satisfaction of contributing to medical research. Finally, in some cases, your care could be free of cost.
Of course, there are several potential downsides to participating in a clinical trial. By agreeing to take an unapproved drug, for example, you may be exposing yourself to unpleasant, serious or even life-threatening side effects. You also run the risk of your psoriasis becoming worse if you don't respond to treatment. Also, some clinical trials can be time-consuming if they require additional doctor visits or questionnaires to fill out.
