Aragón has almost 600 clinical trials underway, 50% of them in oncology

Today, World Clinical Trials Day, the IIS Aragón highlights the continuous commitment that these studies have to clinical research and their important contribution to the advancement of medicine. Our Autonomous Community currently has 573 active clinical trials, half focused on oncology

The Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), through its Clinical Research Unit, manages the clinical trials carried out in all hospitals and Primary Care centers in Aragon.

Today, Monday, May 20, is celebrated the World Clinical Trials Day. In Aragon, there are currently 573 active clinical trials in public hospitals in Aragon, of which more than 50% are being carried out in the services of oncology. Among other pathologies, the digestive service, neurology, hematology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, or dermatology, among others.  

The clinical trials are the clinical research that is carried out in advance of marketing of a new medication and must be performed with the maximum safety guarantees for patients who participate. Also are a essential stage for the evaluation of efficacy and safety of new treatments, medical devices or therapies. The Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), through its Clinical Research Unit, is in charge of manage the clinical trials carried out in all hospitals and Primary Care centers in Aragon. “We are firmly committed to promoting and conducting high-quality clinical trials, which are carried out in close collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and patients. Without a doubt, Aragón stands out for its continuous commitment to clinical research and its contribution to the advancement of medicine,” highlights Eva López, coordinator of the Clinical Research Unit of the IIS Aragón.

Precisely, since its creation this Institute has been a key player in biomedical research, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the search for solutions to the most pressing health challenges. “Our commitment at IIS Aragón to scientific and ethical excellence drives us to continue advancing at the frontier of medical knowledge and to develop new therapies and treatments that improve the quality of life of patients,” notes Eva López.

How useful are the results of a clinical trial?

“Once the trial is completed, all the information is collected and conclusions are drawn about the usefulness of the treatment. When the results are optimal, they are usually used so that Health Authorities authorize marketing and recommend their use. On some occasions, these results can also be used to withdraw a medication from the market if it is proven to be of little use or the presence of a health risk. In addition, the patient, if they wish, can request a report of the results obtained from the research of which they are part,” says the coordinator of the Clinical Research Unit of the IIS Aragón.

In addition, all the insights collection about the participants It can only be used for the purposes of the study and will be stored without identifying the participant.. “All personnel related to the trial are obliged to protect the confidentiality of their data as established in European and national regulations on the protection of personal data,” concludes Eva López.

On the other hand, all clinical trials have to be authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and have the Favorable opinion from a Drug Research Ethics Committee (CEIm).