Every clinical trial has a list of eligibility criteria. This list details who can take part in a particular study. These criteria are necessary because ruling out other possible contributing factors allows researchers to more accurately assess whether a new cancer therapy is safe and effective. But if the criteria are too restrictive, it may make it difficult to enroll patients in the study. It can also make it difficult to determine whether the drug will benefit and be safe in people who do not meet the criteria.
We have collected some articles that explain what eligibility criteria are and ongoing efforts to open trials up to a broader range of people:
- Cancer.gov: Expanding Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria
- Video from Duke University: Evaluating Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria in Clinical Trials (8-hour video)
- eCancer.org: Risks and Solutions: Expanding Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria
- SHARE Cancer Support: My MBC & Me ( Clinical Trial Navigation Guide)
Last Modified on February 10, 2021