Experimental Medicine
What is experimental medicine, and why is it important?
Experimental medicine describes investigations undertaken in people, to identify the cause of disease or to test the validity and importance of new discoveries or treatments. It has resulted in important advances in the understanding of diabetes and its complications. Examples include the knowledge:
- that diabetes comes in several types determined by a person’s genes
- that each type of diabetes may have different risks for microvascular complications or cardiovascular disease, and
- that individuals differ in their responses to treatments
It is obviously very important for people affected by diabetes that the opportunities to conduct such research are maximised.
Sometimes it is possible to combine clinical trials and experimental medicine investigations. One of the main reasons for imbedding experimental medicine into clinical trials is to improve research efficiency, so that we can answer two or more questions with one study, and therefore reduce costs and recruitment time.
Quote from a participant in an experimental medicine study in diabetes:
“Participating in the diabetes related research in Exeter was a very interesting, enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Each study visit was varied and it was fascinating to have all the different tests explained and shown to me, putting into context how the research will help those with or at risk of diabetes.”
How can the Diabetes Research Network facilitate experimental medicine?
The network is facilitating experimental medicine studies in diabetes by:
- encouraging the embedding of these studies in network trials and other well designed studies, thus increasing the knowledge output each study provides
- sharing information on the availability of diabetes experimental medicine expertise with other researchers, funding partners and industry
- exploring opportunities to assist patient recruitment to experimental medicine studies in clinical research facilities
- working with the UK Clinical Research Network’s experimental medicine theme to reduce barriers to experimental medicine in the UK.
Where do experimental medicine studies take place?
Experimental medicine studies vary in their complexity. Some simply require a specialised blood test, whilst others require detailed techniques and expertise, such as MRI imaging or cognitive assessment. The latter normally take place in a clinical research facility, whereas blood tests may be obtained in clinic.
Several of the technologies used in diabetes are also used in experimental medicine studies in other diseases, particularly imaging. This observation has highlighted the need for an integrated approach to facilitating experimental medicine across disease specialities.
Identifying experimental medicine resources
Working with the other experimental medicine research network leads, and the UK Clinical Research Network Experimental Medicine workstream, we have been identifying the barriers to experimental medicine in diabetes and other topics, sharing best practice across topics and contributing to the experimental medicine resources database of expertise in diabetes in the UK.
The UKCRC Experimental Medicine Resources website provides details of the research facilities which offer experimental medicine or early phase trials in diabetes. These centres are spread across the UK and provide wide-ranging skills, for example in detailed physiological or metabolic investigations, imaging, genetics, and cell biology. The aim is to enable companies, clinical researchers and biomedical scientists to maximise research opportunities.
We have also been seeking the opinions of experimental medicine leaders in diabetes to identify ways to facilitate experimental medicine, particularly in areas specific to diabetes.
Could you be involved in experimental medicine studies?
Within the Diabetes Research Network, several experimental medicine studies are already operational, and some of the clinical trials currently being set up offer potential to embed experimental medicine within them. However, what is apparent is the need to commence discussions between clinicians, biomedical scientists, and clinical scientists at an earlier stage in study development, and this requires much more communication with the research community.
The Diabetes Research Network-funded writing groups will offer an important opportunity to bring experimental medicine into early discussions. Other opportunities will be created to engage the wider community. Databases for individuals at risk of diabetes, and those with newly diagnosed diabetes, are being established and will offer an important resource for experimental medicine, as well as for clinical trials.
If your research would benefit from facilitation around an experimental medicine approach, e.g. patient cells rather than cell lines, exploring treatment effects in vivo or ex vitro, specialised imaging, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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