Clinical trials help eligible patients access promising new cancer treatments under expert medical supervision. At Onco-Life Hospitals, all clinical research is conducted with strict ethical oversight, patient safety monitoring, and complete respect for confidentiality—so patients and families can make informed decisions.

Key Highlights

Ethics Committee oversight and informed consent
Participation is voluntary — you may withdraw anytime
Close medical monitoring and safety reporting
Privacy and confidentiality of patient information

What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials are carefully planned medical studies that evaluate new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer. They may test a new medicine, a new combination of medicines, a new treatment schedule, a new surgical or radiation approach, or a supportive-care method to improve quality of life.

Clinical trials follow a strict protocol (a set plan) to ensure the study is conducted safely and consistently. Before a patient joins a trial, the purpose, process, possible benefits, and possible risks are explained in detail, and participation happens only after informed consent.

What a clinical trial may involve

Depending on the study, a trial may include:

Detailed review of your diagnosis and reports
Eligibility screening tests (blood tests, scans, ECG, etc. as per protocol)
Treatment as per the study plan (and regular follow-ups)
Monitoring for response and side effects
Scheduled visits and assessments for a defined period

Clinical trial vs standard treatment

Standard treatment: Proven and commonly used treatment options recommended by your doctor.
Clinical trial: Treatment is given as part of a research study to answer specific medical questions, with defined eligibility and close monitoring.

Note: Not every patient is eligible for a trial. Eligibility depends on factors like cancer type, stage, past treatments, and overall health.

Why Consider a Clinical Trial?

Choosing a clinical trial is a personal decision made together with your treating doctor. For some eligible patients, a trial may offer an additional option when standard treatments are limited, or when a newer approach is being evaluated for a specific cancer type.

Possible benefits

A clinical trial may offer:

Access to newer treatments: You may receive a treatment that is not yet widely available, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Close medical monitoring: Trial participants are usually monitored closely with scheduled follow-ups and assessments as per the study plan.
Expert-guided care: Your oncologist and the clinical research team follow a structured protocol for treatment and safety monitoring.
Contribution to medical progress: Your participation can help improve cancer care for future patients.

Important points to understand

A trial is not guaranteed to work: The treatment being studied may or may not be better than the current standard.
There can be risks and side effects: Like any cancer treatment, trial treatments may have side effects, some of which may be new or unexpected.
Eligibility is strict: Not everyone qualifies; criteria are defined to keep patients safe and ensure the study results are meaningful.
Participation is voluntary: You can decline or withdraw at any time without affecting your regular medical care.

When trials are commonly explored

Clinical trials are often considered when:

A patient’s cancer type matches a recruiting study
Standard treatments have been tried, are not suitable, or have stopped working
The doctor feels a trial may be an appropriate option based on the patient’s condition

Safety, Ethics & Patient Rights

At Onco-Life Hospitals, clinical trials are conducted with patient safety as the highest priority. Every study follows ethical standards and a defined protocol to protect participants and ensure research is carried out responsibly.

1) Ethical oversight and approvals

All clinical research must have appropriate approvals before it begins. Trials are reviewed for scientific need, safety measures, and patient protection by an Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) and other required regulatory/administrative bodies, as applicable.

2) Informed consent (your informed choice)

Before joining any trial, you will be:

Explained the purpose of the study, what will happen, and how long it may last
Informed about possible benefits, risks, side effects, and alternative treatment options
Given time to read the consent form and ask questions Only after you fully understand and agree, you may choose to sign the consent form. You will receive a copy of the signed consent document.

3) Your rights as a participant

You always have the right to:

Choose freely whether to participate
Ask questions at any time and get clear answers
Withdraw from the trial at any time without it affecting your access to standard medical care
Be informed about any new information that may affect your decision to continue

4) Safety monitoring during the trial

Participants are monitored closely as per the study protocol, which may include:

Regular doctor reviews and scheduled assessments
Tracking and reporting of side effects or unexpected symptoms
Timely medical support if any adverse event occurs If needed, the treating team will take appropriate medical decisions as per safety requirements and protocol.

5) Confidentiality and privacy of information

Your medical information is treated as confidential. Patient data used for research is handled securely and shared only as required for:

Study monitoring and audits (as applicable)
Regulatory/ethics reporting (as applicable) Wherever possible, information is coded/de-identified to protect privacy.

6) Trial-related injury care (general information)

If a participant experiences a medical issue related to the study, appropriate medical evaluation and care will be provided as per applicable ethical and regulatory requirements. The exact provisions can vary by study and will be clearly explained in the informed consent document.

Note: The exact combination of services offered can vary by centre and your treatment plan. Your doctor will guide what is required for your case.

Types of Clinical Studies

Clinical research can include different kinds of studies. The type of study depends on what is being evaluated and the stage of development of the treatment or approach.

1) Interventional clinical trials (treatment-related)

These trials study a specific intervention such as a medicine, combination therapy, radiation approach, procedure, or supportive-care method.

Phases (simple explanation):

Phase I: Focuses mainly on safety, dose, and how the treatment behaves in the body. Usually involves a smaller number of participants.
Phase II: Evaluates how well the treatment works for a specific cancer type, while continuing to monitor safety.
Phase III: Compares the new treatment with the current standard treatment in a larger group to confirm benefits and monitor side effects.
Phase IV: Conducted after approval/launch in some cases, to gather longer-term safety and effectiveness data in real-world use.

2) Observational studies

In observational studies, patients are not assigned a new treatment by the study. Instead, researchers collect information to better understand:

disease patterns and outcomes
treatment responses in routine care
quality of life and side effects over time

3) Registries (patient data collections)

Registries systematically collect clinical information over time for specific cancers, treatments, or patient groups. This helps improve understanding of outcomes and supports better care planning.

4) Investigator-Initiated Studies (if applicable)

These are studies designed and led by treating doctors/researchers to explore clinically relevant questions, while following ethical and research standards.

Note: The types of studies available can vary by location, specialty, and active research programs.

Recruiting / Ongoing Clinical Trials (Information Listing)

Onco-Life Hospitals may have clinical trials that are recruiting (enrolling), active but not recruiting, or upcoming. Trial availability can change based on approvals, timelines, and enrolment targets.

Important note: Being interested in a trial does not confirm enrolment. Final eligibility is decided only after a doctor’s assessment and protocol-based screening.

How we present trials on this page

You can display trials in either of these simple formats:

Grouped by Cancer Type (Breast, Lung, GI, Gynae, Head & Neck, Hematology, etc.)
Grouped by Location (Talegaon / Satara / Chiplun / Pune, etc.)
Or a single consolidated list with clear headings

What details should be shown for each trial (recommended “Trial Card” format)

Use the same fields consistently for every trial:

Study / Trial Title (Patient-friendly heading)
Cancer Type / Indication (e.g., Breast Cancer, NSCLC, Oral Cancer, Lymphoma)
Trial Type & Phase (Interventional / Observational; Phase I/II/III/IV if applicable)
Current Status
- Recruiting / Not Recruiting / Active Follow-up / Upcoming / Closed
Purpose (1–2 lines in simple words)
- What the study is trying to evaluate
Key Eligibility Snapshot (2–5 bullets only)
- Example: stage/type, prior treatment allowed/not allowed, age group, key health requirements
- Keep it high-level (avoid very technical inclusion/exclusion lists on the website)
What Participation May Involve (brief)
- Visit frequency, assessments, expected duration (if known)
Location / Centre
Treating Team / Principal Investigator (PI)
- Name + department (no personal phone numbers on the public page)
Registry ID (if applicable)
- CTRI Number (recommended for India) / other registry ID if relevant
Sponsor/Collaborator (if permitted)
- Some sponsor names may be restricted—share only if allowed by agreement
Last Updated Date (helps credibility and reduces confusion)

What to Expect If You Participate in a Clinical Trial

Clinical trials follow a defined process (called a protocol) so every participant is assessed and monitored in a structured, safe way. The exact steps can vary by study, but most trials follow a similar journey:

1) Discussion with your oncologist

Your treating oncologist reviews whether a clinical trial could be a suitable option based on your diagnosis, stage, past treatments, and overall health.

2) Initial review of reports (pre-screening)

The clinical trials team may review key documents such as biopsy reports, scan findings, and treatment history to check whether you may match the study requirements.

3) Informed consent (before any trial-specific procedures)

If the trial seems suitable, the study is explained in detail, including:

purpose of the study
what treatment/tests are involved
possible benefits and possible risks
visit schedule and expected duration You can ask questions and take time to decide. Participation starts only after written informed consent.

4) Screening tests (eligibility confirmation)

Screening is done to confirm you meet the study criteria. This may include blood tests, scans, ECG, and other assessments as per the protocol.

5) Trial treatment / study procedures

If you qualify, treatment (or study participation) begins as per protocol. You may be asked to follow a schedule of visits, tests, and reporting of symptoms/side effects.

6) Regular monitoring and follow-up

You will be monitored closely for:

treatment response
side effects or complications
required lab/imaging assessments The study team guides you on what symptoms to report and when to seek urgent care.

7) Completion and post-trial follow-up

After the planned study period, follow-up may continue for a defined time to monitor outcomes and long-term safety, as required by the protocol.

Practical points to know

Visits may be more frequent than routine care, depending on the study.
Some tests are trial-specific, and some are part of standard care—this varies by study and will be explained before you consent.
You can withdraw anytime, and your doctor will discuss suitable standard treatment options.

Costs & Coverage (Important Transparency)

Costs in a clinical trial can differ from one study to another. Before you decide to participate, the clinical trials team will explain clearly what is covered under the study and what may remain part of routine medical care.

What may be covered as part of a trial (varies by study)

Depending on the protocol and sponsor support, a clinical trial may cover:

The study medication/device (if applicable)
Trial-specific tests and assessments required only for the study
Study-related monitoring and documentation requirements
Certain follow-up assessments as defined by the protocol

What may still be billed as standard care (case-dependent)

Some costs may remain the patient’s responsibility because they are part of routine care, such as:

Regular consultation fees (in some studies)
Standard investigations not specifically required by the trial
Hospitalization costs for routine clinical needs (if not trial-related)
Supportive medicines that are not part of the study supply (as applicable)

Travel and other support (if applicable)

In some studies, there may be guidance on travel or visit-related support. This is not standard for all trials and will be clarified in writing for each study.

Clear communication before enrolment

Before you join:

You will be informed about expected visits, tests, and any cost-related points
Details will be explained during the consent process and documented appropriately
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and decide comfortably

Note: Coverage terms differ by study and can change based on the protocol. Final information is always provided before consent and participation.

Our Research Team & Facilities

Clinical trials require a trained, coordinated team and reliable clinical infrastructure to ensure patient safety, accurate documentation, and consistent care. At Onco-Life Hospitals, clinical research is supported by a multidisciplinary team working closely with treating consultants.

Dedicated clinical trials team

Your care is supported by:

Treating oncologists / investigators (who guide clinical decisions and oversight)
Clinical research coordinators (who help with scheduling, documentation, and visit flow)
Nursing team trained for protocol-based care and monitoring
Pharmacy support (as applicable) for safe handling and dispensing as per study requirements
Laboratory and imaging teams for protocol-guided investigations and reporting

Patient safety and quality processes

Clinical trials are conducted with:

Protocol-based treatment and visit schedules
Side-effect monitoring and reporting as per defined timelines
Quality checks, monitoring, and documentation as required for clinical research
Ethical oversight and confidentiality practices integrated into the workflow

Hospital facilities supporting trial care

Depending on the study, participants may have access to:

Oncology outpatient and inpatient care services
Chemotherapy day-care facilities (where applicable)
Diagnostic support (laboratory tests, imaging, pathology)
Emergency support and specialist backup as clinically required

Note: Research activities and available studies may vary by location and specialty availability.

FAQs for Clinical Trials

FAQs for Clinical Trials at Onco-Life Hospitals

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a carefully planned medical study that evaluates new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer. It follows a strict protocol and includes close monitoring for safety.

Is it safe to participate in a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are designed with safety measures, ethical oversight, and defined monitoring. However, like any medical treatment, there can be risks and side effects, which will be explained before you decide.

Will I definitely benefit from a clinical trial?

Not necessarily. The treatment being studied may or may not be better than the current standard. The purpose of a trial is to answer a medical question while monitoring outcomes and safety.

Can I leave a clinical trial after joining?

Yes. Participation is voluntary. You can withdraw at any time, and your regular treatment options will still be discussed and available with your doctor.

Will I be given a new drug in a clinical trial?

It depends on the study. Some trials test new medicines; others study combinations, schedules, procedures, or observational outcomes. The details are explained clearly during informed consent.

Do clinical trials have side effects?

They can. Side effects may be similar to standard treatments or may be different, especially with newer therapies. You will be guided on what symptoms to report and how monitoring is done.

How is eligibility decided?

Eligibility is decided using the study’s criteria (cancer type, stage, past treatments, lab values, and overall health). Screening tests are often required before confirmation.

Will my personal information remain confidential?

Yes. Patient information is kept confidential and handled securely. Data may be shared only as required for ethics/regulatory oversight, monitoring, or audits, and is often coded/de-identified where possible.

Will I still be treated by my doctor?

Yes. Trials are conducted under the supervision of investigators/treating consultants and a clinical trials team, following a defined protocol.

Will participating in a trial cost more?

Costs and coverage vary by study. Before you join, you will be informed what is covered by the study and what may remain part of routine care.

How long does a clinical trial last?

It depends on the study. Some trials last weeks or months, while others require longer follow-up. The expected timeline and visit schedule are explained before consent.

How can I know if a trial is suitable for me?

The best approach is to discuss your case with your treating oncologist. If a suitable trial is available, the team can guide you through the next steps and screening process.

Clinical Trials at Onco-Life Hospitals