Clinical Trials
You gain access to innovative, investigational treatments and therapies at UC San Diego Health.
Our physicians, who are also leading researchers, collaborate with their colleagues at UC San Diego School of Medicine to drive discoveries that enhance your health and quality of life
What Is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. They are the final step in a long process that begins with research in a lab and animal testing. Many treatments used today are the result of past clinical trials. Clinical trials look at new ways to:
- Treat conditions and diseases
- Find and diagnose disease
- Prevent disease
- Manage symptoms of a disease or its treatment
Types of Clinical Trials at UC San Diego Health
Clinical trials may test novel drugs, new surgical techniques, new medical devices or new ways to use existing treatments or devices. Most clinical trials are conducted in phases that build on each other.
Phase I Trial
A phase I trial may evaluate how a new drug should be given (for example, orally or injected), how often, and what dose is safe.
Phase II Trial
A phase II trial continues to test the drug's safety and begins to test how well the new drug works.
Phase III Trial
A phase III trial tests a new drug, a new combination of drugs or a new surgical procedure in comparison to the current standard of care. Phase III trials often enroll large numbers of people and may be conducted at many doctors' offices, clinics and cancer centers nationwide.
What to Expect
Clinical trials take place in the same setting where standard patient care occurs. Your regular doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals are often part of your care team.
As a clinical trial's participant, you may have more tests and office visits than usual. You may also have other responsibilities, such as keeping a log or filling out forms about your health. You will have a clinical research study coordinator to help you. Your study coordinator will schedule your appointments, make sure your labs are performed and be on call to answer your questions.
Safety and Informed Consent
Your safety is the top priority for any clinical trial. To protect your safety, the federal government regulates most clinical research. All researchers prepare plans of action for their studies, called a "protocol." The protocol outlines how many people will take part in the study, what medical tests they will receive and how often. It also includes the treatment plan.
Before a study can proceed, the University of California, San Diego Institutional Review Board must review and approve the protocol. This board includes doctors, ethicists and members of the community. Together, they ensure that the trial is safe and ethical.
You can change your mind and leave the study whenever you want. It will not affect your access to other treatments. Your research team has a duty to keep you informed, help you understand the information, and answer your questions.
Elements of Informed Consent
Before you agree to participate in any clinical trial, you will receive information about key aspects of the study. This is the beginning of a formal process called “informed consent.” Your doctor or study coordinator will discuss the study with you. A written consent form will then be available for you to take home to read and discuss with your family and friends. Review the elements of an informed consent document.
The study approach
The intervention (such as a new drug or treatment) given in the trial
The possible risks and benefits
The tests you may have
Alpha Stem Cell Clinic
Clinical Trials Involving the Use of Stem Cells
The UC San Diego CIRM Alpha Stem Cell Clinic aims to accelerate innovative stem cell research and advance the development of safe, effective therapies in regenerative medicine. Its mission focuses on testing and delivering groundbreaking treatments to improve patient care. The clinic is a leader in translating research discoveries into real-world medical applications.