The Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) conducts large clinical trials focused on marrow and cord blood transplants. The National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), which operates Be The Match®, also works with the BMT CTN.
Searching for the best treatments
The BMT CTN conducts clinical trials to find the best standard treatments for marrow and cord blood transplant patients. The goal of this research is to improve outcomes for patients.
Multi-center trials
The BMT CTN clinical trials are done at many medical centers throughout the United States. Multi-center trials can help patients because:
- Patients from all regions of the United States can be part of the trials. (The BMT CTN includes only U.S. centers; international centers do not currently take part in these trials.)
- The trials can include more patients. Trials that include many patients may have clearer results.
- More patients can be enrolled quickly. This can shorten the length of the trial so doctors can use the results sooner.
- The trials may avoid bias that a single center might bring to a trial.
Organizations working together
The BMT CTN is made up of organizations working together:
- Two divisions of the U.S. National Institutes of Health fund the BMT CTN's work:
- The Data Coordinating Center keeps the BMT CTN's work and communication going smoothly. Three organizations form the Data Coordinating Center:
- Sixteen core clinical medical centers conduct the trials. (Other centers also participate in many of the trials.)
All of these organizations work together to plan and conduct the research studies.
You can learn more about the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network at the BMT CTN Web site, www.bmtctn.net.