Why clinical trials matter and how to decode them

In 10 seconds? Clinical trial results provide the latest data on new cancer treatment options but are usually riddled with cryptic terminology. In this Cancer 101 digest, we distill the most common terms used to assess clinical trial outcomes.

OK. Let’s start from the beginning. What’s a clinical trial? Clinical trials are studies done in patients (versus in laboratory cells or animals) to assess how defined interventions (usually: treatments) impact human health outcomes. Clinical trials are grouped into 4 phases (sometimes 5) with random subgroups (Yes. Researchers are neurotic, but that’s why they’re good at what they do!).