When physicians study the use of promising new or experimental treatments, they perform what's known as a clinical trial. If a physician believes a clinical trial may offer some benefit to a patient, he or she may suggest that the patient take part in a clinical trial during treatment for Crohn's disease. There are some risks in participating in a clinical trial. Whether or not the treatment will work is not known for sure.
Side effects are often unknown.
Deciding whether or not a clinical trial is right for you depends on many factors that you need to weigh for yourself. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, your doctors and nurses will explain the study to you in detail and will give you a consent form to read and sign. This process is known as giving your informed consent. Even after signing the form and after the clinical trial begins, you are free to leave the study at any time, for any reason. There are several Crohn's disease clinical trials underway at the University of Chicago Hospitals.