Grand Opening of MTZ powered by Pratia Clinical Research Site

Warsaw with the most modern clinical research site in Europe, MTZ Clinical Research powered by Pratia.

New perspectives of oncological therapies in Poland.

Modern solutions in the fight against cancer are a chance for treatment for thousands of Patients who receive a life-changing diagnosis each year. On October 26, the technologically advanced Research Site from the Pratia network was opened in Warsaw. This means that the inhabitants of Poland will have greater access to innovative cancer therapies. The opening ceremony was held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.

Malignant tumors are Poland's second cause of death, whereas cardiovascular diseases take first place. Data from the National Cancer Registry say about 170,000 cases were found in 2019 alone. The number of cases of malignant neoplasms is increasing year by year. During the 2010-2019 decade, it has risen by over a fifth. The Mazowieckie Voivodeship was second in terms of morbidity after the Silesian Voivodeship.

No wonder the development of medicine is strongly focused on oncology – both in Poland and the world. Clinical trials play a massive role in the process of developing new therapies. In Poland, in 2019, 35% of all clinical trials were devoted to oncology. In 2020, 25,000 Polish patients gained access to the most modern therapies in all therapeutic areas.

One of the precursors of the use of clinical trials in the treatment of patients (in the field of hematooncology) is professor dr hab. n. med. Wojciech Jurczak from the National Institute of Oncology Maria Skłodowskiej-Curie in Krakow. "Clinical trials are a natural component in treating hemato-oncological patients. For them, it means access to innovative therapies that are not yet registered in Poland or are not reimbursed by us. It is also a chance for patients to receive the highest standard of care, including regular diagnostic tests", says Professor Jurczak, whose experience covers over 150 clinical trials.

The knowledge of Polish patients about clinical trials grows when they develop a disease such as cancer. At the same time, 6 out of 10 Poles have come across the term "clinical trials." Among oncological patients already familiar with it, 8 out of 10. Willingness to participate in such programs was declared by 55% of Poles, while it is 72% of oncological patients.

The chance of curing the disease, the possibility of gaining access to the latest treatment methods, and accessible health care encourage potential patients to participate in clinical trials. However, barriers are still present in the minds of Poles, especially the fear of adverse side effects, new therapy, and the need to make regular visits to centers.

Education is the answer to fears. "It is best to work with a patient who knows a lot about the disease, its treatment, and is able, after consulting a doctor, to understand both the risk of taking action and not taking action or using other innovative possibilities," explains Professor Jurczak.

What does it take for Polish patients to access the most modern therapies?

Clinical trials provide the patient with an appropriate and innovative therapy currently being investigated. The entire process follows very high technological, administrative and human resources standards. Units in which clinical trials are carried out must meet specific requirements and skillfully navigate research processes. Poland attracts much of the most modern research from abroad, mainly from the United States. The key to locating them on the Vistula River is meeting the quality standards confirmed by inspections of national and international authorities, such as the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

"Pratia is the largest network of clinical trial sites in Europe. We run ten clinical trial centers in Poland, including three specializing in oncology and hemato-oncology (in Katowice, Kraków, and Poznań). It is our point of honor to create another center in Warsaw that combines 20 years of experience in early-phase research and oncology. Today we are pleased to announce the start of its activity," said Maciej Jurkun, director of Pratia Polska.