Clinical Trials Research

1.  ClinicalTrials.gov

ClinicalTrials.gov is a service of the NIH.  It provides regularly updated information about federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers.  ClinicalTrials.gov is a searchable database that provides information about a trial's purpose, participants, locations, and phone numbers for more details.

2.  Veritas Medicine

Veritas Medicine is an online health resource focused on improving patient access to clinical trials and information about therapies in development for serious medical conditions.  The centerpiece of the Veritas Medicine Web site is a comprehensive clinical trials database which allows patients to be matched to clinical trials based on information patients submit confidentially.  Veritas also allows users to receive personalized trial notification when appropriate new clinical trials begin enrollment.

3.  CenterWatch

CenterWatch is an international listing of clinical research trials.  Patients can use the Web site to search for clinical trials by therapeutic area and by geographic area, get information about physicians and medical centers performing clinical research, and learn about drug therapies newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  An e-mail notification service is available to inform consumers of future postings in a particular therapeutic area.

4.  National Cancer Institute Search for Clinical Trials

The National Cancer Institute Search for Clinical Trials allows searches for clinical trials based on the type of cancer, the trial, status of the trial, and the trial location, among other characteristics.  This feature is helpful in searching for clinical trials involving experimental or investigational care.  Clinical trials topic headings include:

• Finding Clinical Trials offers ways to search for clinical trials and provides links to other listings of clinical trials.  It features current clinical trials and information about patient care costs and protection for people in clinical trials.   Clinical Trials and Insurance Coverage - A Resource Guide is an excellent resource for understanding the basics of clinical trials and insurance.  The guide addresses insurance coverage criteria (both public and private), denials, and finding assistance.
• Understanding Clinical Trials includes information about what clinical trials are and how they work, including an explanation of the science behind clinical trials and participant protections.  "Clinical Trials: Questions and Answers" gives an overview of what participating in a clinical trial entails.  "Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need to Know" gives additional information on this topic.  Individuals wishing to find a clinical trial can refer to this section for listings of current trials by diagnosis, institute, or program.