Tag trial
A "tag trial" is a type of trial or experiment in which a new treatment or intervention is tested on a small group of people or animals before being tested on a larger scale. The goal of a tag trial is to gather more information about the safety and effectiveness of the treatment before it is widely used.
Tag trials are often used in the development of new medications, vaccines, or other treatments. They are typically conducted in a controlled environment, such as a hospital or research center, and involve a small group of participants who are randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment or a placebo (a dummy treatment that does not contain the active ingredient).
The results of a tag trial can help researchers to determine whether the new treatment is safe and effective, and whether it is better than existing treatments. If the results are promising, the treatment may be tested on a larger scale in a larger trial, known as a phase III trial.
Here are some key characteristics of a tag trial:
- Small sample size: Tag trials typically involve a small group of participants, often fewer than 100.
- Controlled environment: Tag trials are usually conducted in a controlled environment, such as a hospital or research center.
- Randomized assignment: Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment or a placebo.
- Short duration: Tag trials are typically short-term, lasting only a few weeks or months.
- Safety monitoring: Researchers closely monitor the safety of participants during the trial.
- Data collection: Researchers collect data on the effectiveness and safety of the treatment during the trial.
Tag trials are an important step in the development of new treatments, as they help to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective before it is widely used.