Committing yourself to humanity...
It can be done through research and clinical trials.
You can certainly make a commitment to humanity by participating in a scientific study or clinical trial. We always need patients, to achieve adequate results.
You should know that there is a difference between a research study and a clinical trial. I am happy to explain.
A scientific study is usually conducted by universities, researchers, doctors and professors. The research involves questioning people (patients, but also relatives or other people from a particular target group) as a function of their experiences in a particular research, medical course or treatment. The aim of the research is to gain more insight into these people's experiences or possible consequences of the treatment/methodology. From these insights, one can then optimise the pathway, thereby negating any negative experiences. Participation in such studies is therefore important, in order to improve future treatments.
A clinical trial (clinical study) is a study in healthy volunteers or patients of a particular target group that aims to establish or confirm the clinical, pharmacological or other pharmacodynamic effects of one or more drugs and to identify any side effects of these drugs. A clinical trial thus aims to improve medicine. More specifically, they aim to find and test new treatments for certain conditions or diseases even before they are marketed. Furthermore, they will try to further improve existing treatments and aim to gain a better understanding of certain conditions or diseases (causes, impact of nutrition, mechanisms of action, risk groups). Clinical studies are also carried out to detect diseases better and faster. A clinical study is thus a compilation of scientific questions. By seeking answers to those questions, researchers hope to improve medicine. Participants in clinical studies thus help advance healthcare. All clinical trials are strictly regulated by law and ethically approved before they can start.
Before embarking on such research or study, it is best to be well informed by your treating physician. After all, he/she knows best what is possible for you and what is really not.
Clinical studies are invaluable
Science evolves rapidly and innovation never stops ... thankfully. So we regularly find new therapies that can cure and/or treat patients better and faster. Clinical studies are invaluable here! The help of patients is necessary for this.
Everyone takes a painkiller from time to time, everyone knows someone who has been cured again thanks to very effective medicines. But often people do not think about how these drugs were developed. We can take these medicines, thanks to the participation of healthy volunteers and patients from certain target groups in clinical studies in the past. Without them, the drugs could not exist.
And so you too can play an important role! By participating in clinical trials yourself today, you can ensure that people will have access to even better drugs and therapeutic treatments in the future. Developing such a medicine takes up to 14 years on average. So the people of today, take care of their fellow human beings in 2039 !
Clinical trials proceed in four phases, which must be closely monitored
- Phase I: the safety and efficacy of the new drug are tested on a small number of cancer patients. This phase tests the overall effects (e.g. absorption into the blood), the safety of the drug and any immediate side effects.
- Phase II: the drug is being further tested in a limited group of cancer patients. The aim now is to further verify the safety of the drug and whether it achieves its intended short-term effect of efficacy.
- Phase III: the drug is tested on a larger group of patients in order to check its effects and side-effects in a slightly longer term. This is usually a comparative or controlled study. It looks at how the drug works compared to current medication. Half of the patients receive the current standard therapy, or if no standard therapy exists, a placebo, a non-active substance. The other half of the patients are treated with the drug under study. If the drug passes this test, it will be registered by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). After that, the pharmaceutical company will have to apply for an authorisation in Belgium from the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP). If the application receives a positive opinion, the Minister of Social Affairs will consider whether the medicine will be reimbursed by health insurance. This will always be done in consultation with the Minister for the Budget.
- Phase IV: this phase takes place when the drug is already on the market. The product is followed up further, among other things to detect extremely rare side effects and to study long-term results. But also, for example, to test whether it can also fight other diseases or be prescribed to children. After all, testing drugs on children in phases I to III is not allowed.
Find out more about clinical studies in this interesting brochure from BHS
And if, after reading all this information, you are interested in taking part in a research study or clinical trial, you can register as a patient to participate, via various websites found below. This way, you will make a concrete contribution to the development of better, safer drugs and therapies, with long-term prospects. The studies are thoroughly evaluated and approved by an ethics committee. Patients must always meet strict criteria so that their own safety is never compromised. The treating doctor is aware of the latest therapies and clinical studies. So always be well informed by him so that together you can come to an informed choice.
NEW RESEARCH !!! (27/8/2025)
VUB research Around pain and sleep problems in children after cancer.
Who are we looking for: 38 children (6-12 years) with a history of cancer (max 5 years after end of treatment) and 38 "healthy controls" (children with no history of cancer), together with one of their parents.
Purpose of the study: identify the prevalence of pain and sleep problems in these children (and specifically in Belgium) and examine their interrelationships
This patient-friendly avenue to discover clinical trials is there for all patients.
Clinical trials for all patients.
Results of clinical studies.
Database of private and publicly funded clinical trials conducted around the world.
Open Belgian clinical trials for patients with haematological disorders such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
Also, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Share your experience and improve care!
Living with a chronic illness or long-term health problems brings many
challenges. One of the most important aspects in healthcare is making
decisions about treatments. But how does that work out in practice? To what extent do you, as a
have a say in these choices? And how do you experience cooperation with healthcare providers?
To explore these questions, KU Leuven has launched a study with the aim of mapping out
map how treatment decisions are made in Belgium and how patients
doctors and nurses are involved in this. Your opinion is indispensable to get a better
picture of what goes well and where improvements can be made.
By taking part in this survey, you are helping to improve care and the
involvement of patients in choosing their treatment.
What does it involve?
- A short online questionnaire (± 10-15 minutes)
- Your answers remain completely anonymous
- You help to improve patient care
- The survey is available in Dutch, French and English
Complete the questionnaire. Copy the link below and place it in your browser:
https://survey.kuleuven.cloud/811482?lang=nl