One of the basic objectives of the Institut Català d'Oncologia
is Clinical research, aimed to develop and to evaluate the advances
in cancer treatments using scientific methods. The optimum methodology
of work of the clinical research is the clinical trial.
In the latest years and due to the urgent need to find new strategies
of cancer treatment, an important increase in the interest in clinical
trials in patients with neoplasias has been observed. From the
Pharmaceutical Industry to the main organizations of research into
cancer, they have centred a great part of their efforts in this
discipline.
At the same time, they have been developing the systems of procedures
and methodology of the clinical trial, of control and pharmacy-vigilance
on the part of the Sanitary Authorities, being directed towards
a greater complexity and sophistication, with the purpose of guaranteeing
the rights of the patients, the application of the ethical principles
and the credibility of the results.
The Clinical Research in the Institut Català d'Oncologia
pursues fundamentally two objectives: to contribute to improve
the cancer treatment and to offer the patients the best therapeutic
alternatives in the area of the evaluation of new strategies in
the cancer treatment.
Within this framework, the Institute fulfils a series of prior
internal rules to guarantee the scientific interest of the clinical
trials besides complying with the established legislation in force
and with the rules of the Good Clinical Practice.
Main Lines of Clinical Research
The lines of Clinical Research of the Institut Català d'Oncologia are
the following:
First, the evaluation of new medicines, chemotherapy
and non-chemotherapy, in the treatment of neoplasias, carried
out within the new Medicines Development Program.
Then, the interaction between the Clinical and Basic
Research, for a quick transfer of the findings in the molecular
and genetic fields to the area of Research with patients,
focusing on the therapeutic under the light of the discoveries
of the laboratory.
Thirdly, the participation in the forums of consensus
and treatment strategies decision, by means of the contribution
with cooperative national and international groups.
Lastly, the steady contribution with the Pharmaceutical
Industry in the evaluation and development of anti-cancer
drugs maintaining the intellectual independence of the
Institute itself.
