8 Clinical Trials That Will Shape Medicine in 2024

One of the exciting things about modern medicine is that it is making increasingly rapid advancements in a number of key areas. These advancements could have a major impact on the future of medicine.

In the sections below, we will take a closer look at eight clinical trials that will help shape the future of medicine in 2024. With the results gained from these trials, major changes in treatments and preventive medicine will be possible.

1.Decentralized clinical trials

As the name suggests, decentralized clinical trials are trials that are conducted remotely, and which allow participants to take part from the comfort of their own homes. Decentralized clinical trials generally test things such as wearable devices, implants, and telemedicine mobile apps. These trials have been growing in popularity and are really taking off in 2024.

The purpose of decentralized clinical trials is to expand the geographic reach and demographics of clinical trials, which will ultimately make the things being tested available to a wider spectrum of the population. Of particular importance in these trials is the collection of data for analysis and use in research and development. These and other trials currently being held can be found here.

2.Inclusive trials

One of the criticisms of clinical research is that it tends to focus on certain parts of the population, leaving minorities and other vulnerable groups out. One of the things that is happening in 2024 is that researchers are placing much greater emphasis on inclusivity in their research.

And not only are individual researchers doing this, there is a comprehensive effort being made by institutions and the FDA to include greater segments of minority groups in their research. This will apply not only to ethnic and racial groups, but underserved demographic areas, as well.

3.Emphasis on data integrity

Another trend that will take place this year is that the integrity of trial data will be given greater focus. This means several things: Ensuring that data is accurate and reflects both the parameters of projects, as well as the correct information for patients; that it is secure, and that there is no possibility for leakage of any sort; and that it is consistent from one phase to the next and between projects.

In an era where the sheer amount of data floating around can be overwhelming, it is important that this area receive greater focus for many reasons. Having inaccurate data will lead to inaccurate results, and this does not benefit anyone. The entire purpose of research is to prove scientific principles and apply them in reality. Also, security is becoming a greater issue recently and this is of paramount concern when it comes to personal health information.

4.AI in clinical trials

Not to be left out among sweeping trends across all major industries these days, clinical trials are also testing the use of AI in their functioning. AI is being used for, among other things, patient selection. This is important because trials often focus on a narrow segment of the population for which there are few potential candidates. Thanks to the use of AI, tools can scan information among potential participants at rapid speeds and produce suggestions. This makes the work of researchers much easier.

AI is also proving instrumental in providing models of how trials ought to play out. This reduces planning time for researchers and allows for more streamlined and efficient processes.

5.Regulation compliance and regulatory oversight

In addition to individual researchers’ placing greater emphasis on data integrity, regulatory bodies are becoming increasingly involved. It is one thing for people to decide that they want to enforce their own rules, but this is only a small piece of the larger research question.

For the industry as a whole to really function correctly, there needs to be coordination at all levels, and this includes the government. Regulations need to be created and enforced for everyone participating in clinical research. And when they are broken, actions need to be taken against the people or institutions that made the infractions. This is the only way to truly create a better system.

6.Patient-centered trials

This is something that is already happening on some levels, but there are certain aspects of patient-centered trials that need improvement. Researchers need to pay attention not only to the original constructs of research projects, but also to things such as participant feedback, patient-recorded outcomes, and other aspects of projects that fall outside researchers’ original constructs.

In allowing for a greater amount of patient input, researchers will be able to gain greater insight into the reality of their studies, rather than simply whether or not participants met certain predetermined outcomes.

7.Real-world evidence

The USFDA is in the process of creating a new registry to store information about the safety and effectiveness of experimental drugs. Although this type of information is already kept in certain places, it is not nearly as comprehensive or detailed as it should be.

The new registry will require that certain criteria be met and detailed on new drugs when they are in their early phases. Its development will help both with the effectiveness of drugs, as well as in reducing the negative effects that they might have on people.

8.Personalized medicine and customized trials

With the rise of AI and other tools that are increasingly able to create personalized treatments for people, personalized medicine is becoming more widely available. Along with this will be an increase in “customized trials.” In other words, there will be trials that will be specific to individuals testing their own drugs, and the results of these trials will be stored in databases for future research and development.

Conclusion

There are many new exciting developments taking place in modern medicine. In order to accurately assess the value and effectiveness of new treatments, researchers need to test these treatments as thoroughly as possible. With the proliferation and increasing standardizatio of the trial types mentioned here, researchers will make big steps forward towards these goals.