#Inktober Not #Pinktober
Once a potential drug shows value in "bench research" a clinical trial must be designed to test safety & efficacy in humans. There are phases of trials before a new drug (or surgical method, or radiotherapy method) can be approved. 1/5 #bcam #bcsm

A Phase 1 trial is typically very small & looks at safety/ toxicity only. These trials are trying to find maximum "tolerable" dose of a therapeutic. If side effects are minimal and the drug is considered "safe" it can move on to a Phase 2 trial. 2/5 #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

Phase 2 trials are typically small as well and test efficacy (whether or not it works). If a drug is found to be effective, and remains safe, it can move onto a Phase 3 trial. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #bcam #bcsm #CancerResearch 3/5

Phase 3 trials are comparison trials. People participating in the trial will often be randomized into two groups. The control group gets the current standard-of-care treatment and the other group will receive the new therapeutic. #bcam #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth 4/5

In a Phase 3 trial, there can be more than two groups but there will always be a control group and, contrary to popular belief, no one will get just a placebo. These Phase 3 trials are SUPER important to make sure a drug is safe & effective. 5/6 (oops! bad tweet math) #bcsm

Successful Phase 3 trial can lead to FDA approval & sometimes new standard-of-care. In order for this to happen there has to be tremendous collaboration w/ patient partners. Advocates are trying to make sure patient voices are included in trial design. 6/6
#breastcancerresearch