Clinical trials in oncology

The development of a new treatment in cancer generally involves its assessment in Phase I, II and III prospective clinical trials. This article gives an overview of these phases of clinical trial, through which almost every new treatment will need to pass on the journey from its discovery on the laboratory bench to its routine use in clinical practice. The aim of the Phase I trial is to establish a dose, the Phase II is to evaluate activity, safety and feasibility and the Phase III is to compare the new treatment against a suitable comparator. Phase 0 and Phase IV clinical trials will also be briefly discussed.