Clinical Trials Glossary

Blind trial 

A trial where the patient does not know if they’re in the treatment or control group. 

Controlled trial 

A trial where participants are split into groups to compare a new treatment with a standard treatment, placebo, or no treatment. 

Double blind trial 

A trial where neither the patient nor the clinical team knows which group the patient is in. 

Eligibility criteria 

The conditions a person must meet to take part in a trial. These may include age, type of sarcoma, disease stage, medical history, and general health. 

Exclusion criteria  

Characteristics that prevent someone from joining a trial. 

Inclusion criteria 

Characteristics that a person must have to join a trial. 

Placebo 

A pill or treatment that looks real, but does not contain any real medicine, like a sugar pill. 

Randomised trial 

A trial where a computer randomly assigns participants to the treatment or control group. 

Standard treatment 

The best current, accepted treatment for the type of sarcoma. 

Trial group (treatment group) 

The group of participants receiving the new treatment being tested. 

Control group 

The group of participants receiving the standard treatment, placebo, or no treatment for comparison. 

Phase 1 trial 

Tests a treatment’s safety, dosage, and side effects. 

Phase 2 trial 

Tests whether a treatment works for a specific cancer and gathers more information on side effects and dosage.  

Phase 3 trial 

Compares a new treatment with the current standard treatment to see which works better. 

Phase 4 trial 

Monitors the long-term side effects and safety of treatments already approved for use. 

Informed consent 

The process of agreeing to take part in a clinical trial after being fully informed of what it involves. 

Open-label trial 

A trial where both the participant and clinical team know which treatment is being given. 

Crossover trial 

A trial where participants switch between treatment and control groups during the study.