Clinical trials in pulmonary fibrosis

The clinical trials in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) fact sheet provides a brief overview of clinical trials and their place in current treatment and management. Participating in clinical trials offers several benefits, including access to new treatments during their testing phase, frequent monitoring and contact with healthcare teams, and the opportunity to contribute to future treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

There are different types of trials, such as Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs), where participants are randomly assigned to different treatments, including placebo groups, to ensure accurate results, and Standard of Care trials, where participants may continue their current best available treatment while participating in the trial.

The participation process involves several steps: patients first receive a participant information and consent form detailing the study’s purpose, benefits, and risks. This should read carefully and discussed with family, friends, or their GP. Researchers then assess eligibility based on disease stage, age, and other factors. Finally, regular health assessments are conducted before, during, and after the trial, and participants must attend these assessments and maintain communication with their healthcare team.

When considering participation in clinical trials, it’s important to be aware of the potential allocation to placebo treatment, the need for frequent clinic visits and additional assessments, and the fact that participation is voluntary with the option to withdraw at any time. Key questions to ask include whether there is a placebo arm in the clinical trial, the duration of the trial, the frequency of hospital or clinic visits,if any additional tests are required, the benefits and side effects, the impact on current treatments, and the post-trial treatment plans.Participation in clinical trials is a personal decision that should be made after thorough consideration and consultation with healthcare professionals.

If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, or just want to see what is available, you should visit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Australasian Clinical Trials (PACT) Network for a list of clinical trials currently recruiting people with Pulmonary Fibrosis. You can also ask your healthcare team about clinical trials that you might be a candidate for.