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CRU Staff, from left: Kim Tally, LPN, Jessica Sonder,
Oscar Furet, RN, Steve Edelman, RN, Julie Johnson |
Mission Statement
We are committed to safe and efficient conduct of clinical trials that promote promising therapies for arthritis and autoimmune disease. We seek to improve current treatment for rheumatic disease and, thereby, help individuals with arthritis as well as expand existing knowledge of their diseases.
Medical breakthroughs occur in the battle against arthritis and autoimmune disease daily. The Arizona Arthritis Center is at the forefront of these exciting advancements.
Prior to its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), clinical trials for Remicade were held at the Arizona Arthritis Center. Remicade is now available at the Biologic Infusion Center, for more information call 694-0611.
Many important clinical trials are conducted at the Arizona Arthritis Center. The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) offers a great opportunity for individuals who wish to participate in clinical research. The FDA requires several different types of clinical trials be performed on new medications prior to approval. Subjects may benefit from research as well as contribute to the advancement of science.
 How does the process of clinical research occur?
- First, when a pharmaceutical company is ready to test a new drug, it searches internationally for sites best suited for the trial. The company looks for sites with experienced and qualified staff. After the sites are chosen, the University of Arizona Human Subjects Committee reviews the project to safeguard the interests of the trial subjects.
- Second, the pharmaceutical company launches the study by educating the center staff who work on the clinical research project.
- Third, representatives of the drug company come to the Arizona Arthritis Center to initiate the site and ensure that all regulatory paperwork has been implemented properly.
Sponsor personnel see that the study coordinator fully understands how to execute the trial.
- Finally, when all this has been demonstrated, recruitment for "human subjects" begins. Recruitment can happen in many ways. Rheumatologists from the community or from the Arizona Arthritis Center may refer clinic patients, local and national advertising campaigns may also be used for subject recruitment.
Early in the development of a new therapy, some subjects may receive placebo (an inactive therapy.) This is done to see if the new treatment really works. Later, the new therapy is compared with the best treatment dose available and finally there are long-term extensions of, generally, one to two years to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the new medication. Many subjects who enter these trials may receive the therapy long before it is approved for the general public. The information gathered from these trials is then submitted to the FDA for approval in the U.S.
In addition, the Arizona Arthritis Center carries out National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded studies like the "Doxycycline Study in Osteoarthritis" in which the potential cartilage-saving effects of the antibiotic were evaluated.
 How can you get involved?
A call to a Clinical Research Coordinator determines an individual's initial eligibility. The individual is then invited to the CRU to learn specifically what
the study will entail and what is expected of him or her. A physician explains the study and all questions will be answered prior to the informed consent document being signed. The individual has the option of withdrawing consent at anytime during the study, for any reason.
Each study has different ratios of how many people receive the drug versus a placebo. All subjects participating in a clinical trial will receive close medical  monitoring by a rheumatologist. The Clinical Research subjects are seen at the University Medical Center General Clinical Research Center.
The Clinical Research Unit at the Arizona Arthritis Center is currently recruiting individuals who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or osteoarthritis to participate in clinical research studies. If you are interested in learning more about research studies involving these diseases, you may contact the Clinical Research Unit and speak with a study coordinator.
To find out about current clinical research studies
call (520) 626-3739 or complete this FORM.
CRU Contact information
For more information on clinical trials visit clinicaltrials.gov |
