National Jewish Health Clinical Research
National Jewish Health is a global leader in the research and treatment of respiratory, immune and allergic disorders. We have been exclusively dedicated to the advancement of therapies available to treat these disorders for more than 80 years. Rated among the top ten independent biomedical research centers in the world, National Jewish Health continually implements the newest technology available as well as state of the art diagnostic testing.
Why is clinical research important?
What is a clinical trial/study?
Besides the FDA, who else oversees clinical research trials?
How can I volunteer for a clinical research trial?
Why is clinical research important?
Clinical research is critical to understanding diseases and improving treatment therapies. Through the years, National Jewish Health has conducted research leading to new and improved treatments for a number of respiratory, allergic and immune diseases. We have helped bring such drugs as Advair, Claritin and Xolair to market.
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What is a clinical trial/study?
Clinical research studies aspire to answer specific questions related to a particular disease process. Some research studies focus on the quality of life patients experience while others compare the effectiveness of a particular drug. On the outer frontier of medicine is what is now referred to as “personalized medicine.” This approach to healthcare encourages early diagnosis and treatment of diseases prior to the onset of symptoms by studying biomarkers and genes. National Jewish Health continues its world leadership in this cutting-edge gene and biomarker field of medical research.
Clinical research is conducted in phases.
- Phase I determines safe dosages of a new drug in a small human population.
- Phase II attempts to find out how well patients respond to certain treatments. If enough patients respond positively, the study will go on to the next level.
- Phase III enrolls a large number of patients (sometimes thousands worldwide) to test drug efficacy and safety.
- Phase IV research requires that a control group receive standard therapy while another group receives the new drug.
Before entering a trial, patients are counseled on the risks and benefits of study participation. Patients give their informed consent and can withdraw from a study at any time. A person’s clinical research participation status does not affect the level or quality of care they will receive.
Besides the FDA, who else oversees clinical research trials?
An independent safety committee called an Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversees medical research. The IRB is made up of scientists, physicians and nurses unassociated with the actual research. Once approved, clinical trials are followed closely and progress is reviewed systematically.
Learn more about the National Jewish Health Institutional Review Board.
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How can I volunteer for a clinical research trial?
See our ongoing clinical research and volunteer opportunities.
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