Clinical trials are conducted according to a plan which is often referred to as a “protocol.” Each protocol has its own eligibility criteria on who can (or cannot) participate. Your eligibility may be based on a variety of factors such as age, current medications you take, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions. Defining this eligibility is not only beneficial to the research study by increasing the likelihood to produce reliable data, but also benefits its volunteers by reducing the likelihood of harm. Because of this, not everyone is chosen to participate. Those who do participate in our clinical trials do so freely and of their own will.