Sarcoidosis Clinical Trials

The Susan Pearlstine Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence at MUSC conducts cutting edge research in sarcoidosis that improves the lives of patients by learning more about potential causes and treatment options. Conducting research is vital, and the success of research is dependent on having informed and engaged patients. Below you will find a general description of the types of research we perform, as well as the specific research studies that are currently available to our sarcoidosis patients.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Treatments might be new medications, new surgical procedures or devices, or even new ways to use existing treatments. Clinical trials are necessary to understand if the new treatment is effective, but also to prove that it is generally safe.

Why might I participate in a clinical trial?

The main reason to participate in a clinical trial is to help someone. That someone might be yourself because you are hoping to find a new treatment that works for you. Some might participate because it will help others, such as a family member, or others suffering from the same condition. Even healthy volunteers say they participate to help others, as they have nothing to gain from the therapy itself.

We owe a huge debt to those who have volunteered for clinical trials. Everyone has taken a medicine at some time in their life, whether prescribed by a doctor or obtained over-the-counter. We should recognize that somebody volunteered for studies of that medicine and for our benefit.

How do I know that clinical trials are safe?

There is a long road before a new therapy is ready for human trials. There must be testing in the laboratory before the FDA will allow for studies to begin in humans. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews the study application and all materials prepared for the study to assure that your rights and safety have been addressed. There is also constant monitoring by the investigative team as well as central reviewers and a Data Safety Monitoring Committee, who reviews data periodically, to assure there are no safety issues out of the ordinary.

How do I find what clinical trial is right for me?

Not all clinical trials are a good fit for everybody. Some clinical trials are short and intense, with frequent and long study visits, while others may last for many months, but do not require so many visits. The medication or therapy being studied should be of interest to you, and then you can discuss the schedule to know if it would work with your other activities.

How do I find out more about clinical trials?

There are several ways to learn more about clinical trials ongoing at MUSC. You can access SCresearch.org to find trials that would be of interest to you. Ask your doctor about available clinical trials. You can also contact the MUSC Pulmonary Clinical Trials office at 843-792-4349 or jonesash@musc.edu.

Active Clinical Trials