Child Health Institute of New Jersey. The staff includes physicians, research nurses, nurse coordinators, a pediatric business of conducting clinical trials. The challenges are huge: protecting children from exposure to undue risks while using effective methods to test promising drugs. ies give kids the chance to receive medications they might approved for adults, but not approved for children," she says. There's another reason families decide to participate. "We tell our patients and families, even if the study doesn't help them, it will help others in their situation in the future," says Wilson. "No matter the outcome, we learn from every study, helping other children who have these diseases." boy suffered from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)--a disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. He couldn't participate in gym or play contact ITP trial. Just as a result of the drugs to treat his condition that he received in the study, he found out he could sign up for Pop Warner football. He got the biggest smile on his face. We walked away feeling fantastic because he was so happy." by the studies at the PCRC, there has been tremendous growth," says Dr. Gaur. Now the center is part of national and international networks doing research to look for new time. Some may have one or two patients in them; in others, as many as 15 are enrolled. Researchers are currently doing Sturgill, PharmD, associate professor and chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Rutgers Ernest tion, PCRC. "We're actively involved in the training and men- as Rutgers University pharmaceutical industry fellows." tively new. Thomas F. Scanlin, MD, professor and sen- of pulmonary medicine and the Cystic Fibrosis Center, explains, "We've partnered with the PCRC to become a therapeutic development network." The first trial potential- ly affects only 4 percent of cystic fibrosis patients, but there was spectacular improvement in members of that group. Then a breakthrough drug was tested that could affect more than half of all patients with CF. The trial produced a result |