The goal of all clinical trials is to be as inclusive as possible. However, it is necessary to develop specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The reason for this is to ensure that the study is valid—so that the study can determine if an experimental medication can safely and effectively treat a disease, such as scleroderma.
In most clinical trials, some patients receive an active medication, while other patients receive a matching placebo. The inclusion and exclusion criteria are used to ensure that these two groups of patients in the trial are similar. This way, any differences in disease outcomes observed during the trial are truly due to the experimental medication.
By focusing on a specific group of patients, such as those with scleroderma-associated ILD in CONQUEST, researchers can:
🔹 Ensure Safety: Specific criteria help protect participants by minimizing risks and ensuring the experimental medication is tested on those most likely to benefit.
🔹 Increase Accuracy: A well-defined patient population helps researchers clearly understand the effects of the experimental medication, leading to more reliable and meaningful results.
🔹 Improve Outcomes: Focused trials can lead to quicker and more definitive conclusions, accelerating the development of effective treatments for specific conditions.
While not everyone can join every trial, each study contributes to the larger body of knowledge that will ultimately benefit all scleroderma patients. Every piece of research builds on previous findings, paving the way for new, more inclusive trials and better treatments.
At the SRF, we are unwavering in our dedication to funding scleroderma research that drives progress. Every clinical trial, like CONQUEST, plays a vital role in this mission.
