• Published on: Nov 03, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Understanding Cancer Clinical Trials?

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Understanding cancer clinical trials?

Cancer clinical trials are studies that test new treatments for different kinds of cancer.

Participating in a clinical trial usually requires information about the participant's medical background, often including lab results and other health-related information. Some people who have specific types of cancers may be eligible for certain cancer clinical trials while others won't be eligible based on their type of cancer or its a stage in the progression. Different individuals will have different obstacles to get past when they want to participate in an FDA-approved trial.

Medical researchers are constantly looking for new treatments to be used against all forms of cancer because no one treatment seems to work well enough on its own. Clinical trials are only done with patients whose doctors think could benefit from them.

Clinical Trials are research studies that involve people, medical treatments, or devices. In a clinical trial, researchers find out if a new drug or treatment is safe and effective in humans. Researchers study cancer from all angles to find cancer vulnerabilities and develop improved treatments for cancer patients. Cancer prevention trials may be part of a patient’s personalized diagnosis plan as well as recommended after-cancer care following all forms of therapy. Early-stage clinical trials typically start with 20-30 participants but provide significant progress towards understanding prostate cancer significantly faster than large retrospective studies involving thousands of patients.

Currently, in the United States, clinical trials are research studies using human volunteers to understand how a new treatment might work. The purpose of these trials is not to see whether the people in them get better, but rather to collect information on what happens when people with certain types or stages of cancer are given different treatments - so that doctors can learn which treatments are likely to be most effective for patients later. Clinical trials also play an important role in developing new treatments by gathering information about how drugs perform in humans before they're approved for public use.

With advances in drug development and treatment options, clinical trial participation has become less risky over time. Clinical trials are research studies that, for people with cancer, assess the benefits and risks of various treatments. Less than 10% of clinical trials are ever published in academic journals or other health reports - so there's a good chance you'll never know about many of them if your doctor isn't aware of them!

Cancer clinical trials are conducted for the sole purpose of finding better treatments and cures for cancer, as well as helping doctors to determine which kind of treatment would be best suited to a patient's needs. The further explanation should also include: Some other examples of clinical trials include testing the safety and effectiveness of new chemotherapy drugs, blood products transfusion, and techniques such as using radiation therapy.

As we make slow but steady progress in our understanding of cancer science and its cause, we hope that one day everyone may receive an individualized treatment plan based on his or her own unique genome profile. This is possible because DNA sequencing helps scientists figure out what kinds of therapies may work best - those that target different mutations; those that use your immune system.

Clinical trials are studies of treatments that are carried out on people with cancer to see if they are safe or work better than current treatments. When treatment is designed, researchers test it first in the laboratory. They use animal models and cell cultures to determine whether it has any harmful effects. If this testing shows that the treatment might be safe for humans, then approval is sought from local ethics committees or regulatory bodies - based on internationally agreed ethical guidelines - before carrying out clinical trials using human participants who have cancer.  This usually involves giving some people the new treatment while others serve as controls, receiving either placebos (a look-alike drug) or old treatments.

A clinical trial is a process where new treatments and medications that may or may not work on cancers are researched. The next step is to test the treatment and medication on cancer patients. This process can take years before we find out if it works perfectly.

There are 2 types of cancer clinical trials: traditional (sometimes called Phase I/II) trials and Phase III trials (often called "testing" or "Phase III testing"). Traditional phase cancer clinical trial lets doctors understand how the body reacts to a particular drug; it also helps them make sure that people who participate in this type of study don't have any harmful effects from taking part in the study. Phase III clinical trials are the "final step" of testing before a drug is released for public use. Conducted on many more people than Phase I or II, these clinical trials are designed to demonstrate that the new drug has the same benefits as already proven drugs and few side effects. Phase III concludes with the application of stringent standards for safety and efficacy before approval by regulatory authorities for general use.

A small number of patients may be involved in follow-up studies after they have undergone treatment to provide additional information about how safe it is under real-world conditions. A new medication can't be marketed until it has passed this key stage in the approval process, but once approved it can then be prescribed by doctors everywhere.

A clinical trial is a research study that compares one or more treatments (therapies) to determine which treatment is the most effective. The goal of a clinical trial is to find better methods for preventing, diagnosing, and treating health problems. Clinical trials are not done with all cancers. They focus on cancer types such as breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, or prostate cancer because they don't know what will happen when developing the new treatment together with other types of cancers.

Cancer clinical trials are scientifically controlled studies of treatments or prevention. They test new forms of treatment for cancer and gather information about their safety and effectiveness.

A clinical trial is a study that involves volunteers to try out medication, look at problems, or answer questions that will help doctors choose the best treatments for patients. "Clinical" means relating to medicine and "trial" means an attempt by someone to find out if something works. Clinical trials are very important because they tell scientists what different types of medicines can do in people who have diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), emphysema, or Parkinson's disease."

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Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetic Predisposition Testing India: Understanding Your DNA to Prevent Future Disease

Genetics plays a significant role in determining an individual’s risk for various diseases. In India, where chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders are increasing rapidly, genetic predisposition testing has emerged as a powerful preventive tool. It helps individuals understand inherited risk factors long before symptoms appear, allowing timely intervention.

SecondMedic offers guided genetic screening to help patients uncover DNA-based risks and take proactive control of their long-term health.

What Is Genetic Predisposition Testing?

Genetic predisposition testing analyzes a person’s DNA to identify mutations, variations, or inherited markers associated with increased disease risk. It does not diagnose a disease but reveals how likely an individual is to develop certain conditions.

What the test identifies:

  • Gene mutations
     

  • Family-linked disease patterns
     

  • Hereditary cancer markers
     

  • Metabolic and cardiovascular risks
     

  • Neurological conditions
     

  • Autoimmune predispositions
     

These insights help individuals and doctors make informed preventive health decisions.

Why Genetic Testing Is Growing in India

1. High prevalence of lifestyle and hereditary diseases

India is the diabetes capital of the world, and many metabolic disorders have genetic roots.

2. Increasing cancer burden

BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes are being detected more often.

3. Awareness about preventive healthcare

People want to act early rather than wait for disease onset.

4. Growth of digital healthcare

Easy access through telemedicine platforms like SecondMedic.

5. Rising chronic cases at younger ages

Genetic predispositions often accelerate early onset of disease.

What Diseases Can Genetic Testing Predict?

1. Cancer Risk

Includes hereditary cancers such as:

  • Breast
     

  • Ovarian
     

  • Colorectal
     

  • Prostate
     

  • Pancreatic
     

BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome genes are key markers.

2. Heart Disease & Hypertension

Genes that influence:

  • Cholesterol levels
     

  • Plaque formation
     

  • Blood pressure regulation
     

3. Diabetes

Genes that affect insulin sensitivity and metabolic function.

4. Obesity

Markers linked to appetite regulation and fat storage.

5. Neurological Disorders

Including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy predispositions.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Genes related to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders.

7. Drug Response (Pharmacogenomics)

DNA determines how the body reacts to certain medications.

How Genetic Predisposition Testing Works

Step 1: Sample Collection

Usually saliva, blood, or buccal swab.

Step 2: DNA Sequencing

Advanced technology identifies variations in your genome.

Step 3: Risk Analysis

Gene mutations are mapped to known disease risks.

Step 4: Expert Interpretation

SecondMedic’s genetic counsellors and doctors review results.

Step 5: Preventive Plan

Includes recommended lifestyle changes, screenings, and monitoring.

Benefits of Genetic Predisposition Testing

1. Detect Risk Before Symptoms

Allows decades of preventive action.

2. Personalized Health Planning

Diet, exercise, and medical screening tailored to DNA.

3. Early Cancer Detection

Essential for women with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer risk.

4. Family Health Insights

Identifies conditions that may affect children and siblings.

5. Improved Treatment Outcomes

Knowing your risk helps doctors monitor you more closely.

6. Better Drug Selection

Pharmacogenomics ensures medications match your genetic profile.

Who Should Consider Genetic Testing?

  • People with family history of cancer
     

  • Individuals whose relatives had early heart attacks
     

  • Families with diabetes across generations
     

  • Women with breast or ovarian cancer history
     

  • Couples planning pregnancy
     

  • People with unexplained chronic conditions
     

  • Individuals wanting personalized preventive healthcare
     

Limitations of Genetic Testing

1. Not a diagnosis

It shows probability, not certainty.

2. Environmental and lifestyle factors still matter

Genes interact with habits and environment.

3. Requires professional interpretation

Raw results without counselling can be confusing.

SecondMedic ensures accurate guidance through experienced specialists.

How SecondMedic Supports Genetic Testing

1. End-to-End Genetic Screening

From sample collection to detailed analysis.

2. Expert Review

Genetic counselors and doctors explain every risk factor.

3. Personalized Preventive Plan

Nutrition, exercise, and screening based on DNA.

4. Confidential Reporting

All data is securely stored.

5. Integrated Preventive Tracking

Follow-up tests and monitoring for high-risk individuals.

Future of Genetic Testing in India

  • AI-based genome interpretation
     

  • Affordable whole-genome sequencing
     

  • Predictive analytics for early cancer
     

  • Family-wide health risk mapping
     

  • Integration with digital health IDs under ABDM
     

SecondMedic aims to make genetic screening widely accessible and scientifically guided.

Conclusion

Genetic predisposition testing India empowers individuals by revealing inherited disease risks long before symptoms develop. It supports preventive healthcare, early cancer detection, and personalized wellness planning. With platforms like SecondMedic offering expert-guided genetic testing, Indians can now take proactive control of their long-term health.

To book your genetic test, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

  • ICMR – Genetic research insights
     

  • NIH – Genetic testing guidelines
     

  • WHO – Genomic medicine developments
     

  • Statista – DNA testing market India
     

  • SecondMedic genetic health studies

See all

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