What is a clinical trial?
Clinical trials, also known as research studies or patient studies, are essential in the fight against disease. They determine if new treatments are safe and effective and work better than current treatments.
What about a nephrology (kidney) trial?
In nephrology, clinical trials help us find new ways to prevent and treat kidney disease. They are a vital tool in improving the quality of life for people during and after treatment.
When you take part in a nephrology clinical trial, you add to our knowledge about kidney disease and help improve care for future patients.
How am I protected?
- The research team will explain all the study details, including potential benefits
and risks. Each study is monitored to make sure it is as safe as possible, and your
study records are kept private and confidential. Only the research team and your
doctor or nurse will have access to your records. - You can leave a study at any time for any reason.
How can I find a nephrology clinical trial?
- We have a number of nephrology clinical trials at Washington University.
- Learn more about other clinical trials at Washington University
- The Volunteer for Health program supports patient-oriented research at Washington University. Find more information and join the Research Participant Registry.
- Interested? Call 314-273-6397 or email.
What questions should I ask about the clinical trial?
- What is the purpose of the study?
- What do I have to do?
- How long will the study last?
- What are the risks and side effects?
- Will it cost me anything?
- Will I receive money?
- Can I withdraw at any time?
- Will the study help me now?
What is a principal investigator?
- The principal investigator is the doctor in charge of the clinical trial. He or she
prepares a plan–or protocol–for the trial. The protocol explains what will be done
during the trial, including:- The reason for doing the study
- Who is eligible for the study
- How drugs or treatments will be given, what dose and how often
- What medical tests will be done and how often
- What types of information will be collected
Meet our clinical trials staff
Personal stories
Alyssa, Annette and Dewayne are volunteers sharing their clinical trial experiences (National Institute of Health. A number of our clinical trials and other research at Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, is funded through grants from the National Institute of Health).
Clinical trial informational resources
There are clinical trials throughout the United States. Find more information about general clinical trials at the following resources:
- National Kidney Foundation Clinical Trials information in English and in Spanish
- View the National Institute of Health (NIH) listing of clinical trials throughout the world
- Visit the NIH general information page or check out the find a study tool
- The National Kidney Foundation also has a clinical trial matching online tool
- NephCure has a 60-second trial match online tool
Interested? Call 314-362-8232 or email
Washington University nephrology trials
There are a number of current nephrology-related clinical trials at Washington University. For more information and whether or not you qualify for a trial, email us.