Clinical trials for children: Advancing knowledge of childhood disease

The health care we provide is shaped by research innovations. In fact, nearly every medical advance and treatment that improves a child’s life today can be linked to past clinical trial results.

Your child has access to the same clinical research through clinical trials. Through a clinical trial, we advance the effort to learn more about a disease, effective treatments and possible preventions. For example, our pediatric experts are investigating the causes and personalized treatments of childhood asthma. There are also dozens of trials available for children with all different diagnoses and stages of cancer through UW Health Kids | Carbone Cancer Center.

Clinical trials are research studies involving volunteers like your child and led by a team of our medical professionals. That team is dedicated to safely exploring treatments or ways to prevent disease. A clinical trial might try to find a new drug for cancer or asthma, while another might assess treatment for diabetes.

In every trial, there are strict federal safety guidelines in place to ensure the rights and well-being of children are protected. In addition, in a clinical trial, children may not be deprived of any treatment necessary for their health. Sometimes the outcomes of trials don’t lead to the expected results. However, the process and discovery can lead to new research directions, which can translate to benefits for future patients. Participating in a clinical trial is voluntary and you can end involvement at any time for any reason.

UW Health Kids is proud to provide its pediatric patients and their families access to clinical trials.

UW Health Kids | Carbone Cancer Center specialists provide expert cancer care for children including trials for children with all different types and stages of cancer. In most cases, there are specific criteria that participants must meet. These might include having a certain type of cancer, for instance, or a certain treatment history.

We develop exciting new trials based on findings we’ve discovered. Some are only offered here. We also take part in multi-center trials. These trials test new treatments on children throughout the country.

We can offer hope in cases where your child’s cancer has not responded to standard treatments or has returned. No matter the trial, we always prioritize your child’s safety and comfort.

All clinical trials for youth

Clinical trials for patients 18 years and younger on Studyfinder

Pediatric cancer clinical trials

Contact the Cancer Trial Navigation at (608) 890-8070 or pedshemoncresearch@lists.wisc.edu