As we mark Volunteers Week, we’re raising awareness of a group of unsung heroes in the world of medical science: healthy volunteers in clinical research. Their contributions are invaluable, serving as the backbone of advancements in medical treatments and the development of new therapies.
The Role of Healthy Volunteers in Clinical Research
As opposed to clinical trial participants who are living with conditions who may receive some relief from their symptoms by taking part in a clinical trial (if they are not given placebo), many healthy volunteers participate in clinical trials not for personal clinical benefit but to aid in the advancement of medical knowledge. Their participation helps scientists to understand the baseline responses to potential new drug treatments.
Their involvement is crucial in Phase I clinical trials, where the primary goal is to assess the safety and tolerability of new drugs or treatments. By participating in these early-stage trials, healthy volunteers help researchers determine appropriate dosage levels and identify potential side effects before these treatments are tested on patients with specific conditions.
In 2022, the UK was ranked fourth in the world for the number of Phase I clinical trials conducted that year1. MAC Clinical Research in Greater Manchester has its own MHRA Accredited Early Phase Unit for conducting Phase I clinical trials.
The Importance of Healthy Volunteer Participation
The participation of healthy volunteers in clinical research is vital for several reasons:
- Safety and Tolerability – Before any trial drug or treatment is administered to patients, it must be thoroughly tested for safety. Healthy volunteers help minimise the risk that these treatments will cause adverse reactions, making the process safer for subsequent patient groups. In one study, researchers estimated that 64% of side effects would have been missed by only reviewing the published reports on the medical treatments studied, emphasising the importance of full reporting of any adverse effects2.
- Baseline Data – Healthy volunteers provide baseline data that is essential for comparative analysis. This data helps researchers distinguish between standard biological responses and those altered by disease or treatment.
- Advancing Medical Knowledge – Every clinical trial involving healthy volunteers contributes to a greater understanding of human physiology and the mechanisms of diseases. This foundational knowledge is critical for developing new and more effective therapies; in many ways, you can say that it is the volunteers who progress medicine, not the researchers.
- Streamlining Processes – The involvement of healthy volunteers can accelerate the clinical trial process. With reliable data from these volunteers, researchers can quickly move forward to the next phases of testing, potentially bringing new treatments to market faster. It’s estimated it can take between 10-15 years to complete all 3 phases of clinical trials before the licensing stage3.
The Potential Benefits to Society
The contributions of healthy volunteers extend far beyond the confines of research clinic laboratories. Their participation has a ripple effect, potentially benefiting society in numerous ways, such as, enhancing treatment options for future generations and informing public health policies and practices.
Participating in a Clinical Trial
If you are interested in taking part in a healthy volunteers clinical trial and helping to advance healthcare, you can register for one of MAC’s clinical trials via our current trials webpage.
If you are eligible for one of our clinical trials, you may receive financial reimbursement for your time and commitment. You will also receive travel expenses and a full health check-up from our specialist team.
1 ABPI – UK industry clinical trial performance shows signs of improvement, says ABPI report
2 University of York – Calls for greater transparency in the release of clinical trial data
3 Cancer Research UK – How long a new drug takes to go through clinical trials
