Clinical trials are an important step in getting safe new treatments, technologies and therapies to the public. New treatments can’t become available without progressing though different clinical trials stages – and that isn’t possible without all the people who volunteer for them.
Why should I take part in a clinical trial?
Getting involved in a clinical trial means you’ll be playing an important role in bringing new treatments, technologies and cures to yourself and others living with T1D. Some clinical trial participants could be part of the next big breakthrough that changes the future of T1D forever.
There can be benefits to you as a participant, too. Taking part in a clinical trial gives you access to the newest treatments and technologies for T1D before they’re available to the public. It gives you the chance to receive a potentially life-changing treatment that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to.
Clinical trials involve lots of diabetes experts, and you’ll have the chance to ask them any questions you have about T1D or your treatment. This extra support may make you feel more confident and reassured in managing your condition.
Lucy, who took part in the BANDIT trial, which tested the drug baricitinib, said: “It’s good to be part of this trial, to help researchers find new treatments for people with type 1 diabetes. Participating has also been really helpful in having access to closer monitoring and support, via the clinical trial team, in the early stages of my diagnosis.”
Are clinical trials safe?
Before an intervention can reach the point of being trialled in humans, it must pass rounds of thorough laboratory testing in cells and animal models to mitigate as much risk as possible.
When it’s deemed safe enough to give to people, the first round of testing only involves low doses of the drug being tested, to make sure any potential negative effects aren’t too strong.
By the time a drug has reached a large-scale clinical trial, it has already undergone so much testing that researchers can be as sure as possible it won’t cause any harm.
All clinical trials taking place in Australia must follow ethical guidelines to maximise participant safety. This includes things like the right for participants to withdraw from the study at any time without needing to give a reason. To ensure all researchers are following these rules, every trial must be reviewed and approved by a human research ethics committee. You can find out more about this on the Australian Clinical Trials government website.
Who is eligible for clinical trials?
Different clinical trials have different requirements and eligibility criteria, depending on who the treatment is aimed at helping.
Clinical trial recruitment pages include a list of exclusion and inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria are features that you must have to take part in the study, such as a diagnosis of T1D. Meanwhile, exclusion criteria are features that make you unable to take part, such as being pregnant or taking certain medications.
The researchers leading the trial will also screen every participant they recruit to make sure everyone is suitable to join.
Use our filters to find a clinical trial you can join. You can search by age or location.
How can I take part in a clinical trial?
There are clinical trials taking place right now across Australia that are recruiting volunteers.
You can use the search function on our list of T1D clinical trials to find trials you may be eligible to take part in.