Children's Hospital Colorado

Pediatric Clinical Trials

Find a clinical trial

All the current clinical trials happening at Children’s Hospital Colorado can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website. You can browse by conditions, treatments, eligibility criteria and more related to your child.

Browse available clinical trials

Here, we are never complacent in our pursuit of research, and we believe every child should have the chance for a healthy future. We’ve pushed the standard of pediatric care to the next level with our research — including by providing access to new treatments through our clinical trials not available to the public. These opportunities offer hope for children today with access to the most advanced treatments, while paving the way for life-saving solutions for the next generation. In partnership with the University of Colorado, our dedication to teamwork, safety and innovation means medical advances happen faster here.

Why choose a clinical trial at Children's Hospital Colorado?

With a focus on quality and safety, our Child Health Research Enterprise supports an unparalleled level of expertise and professionalism. Here, we gather all our child health research operations under one roof, enabling our investigators to spend more time in science. This important infrastructure ensures the highest standards for our clinical trials, focusing on the safety and protection of our participants.

From common conditions to rare diseases and from before birth to beyond — we cover it all. With our hospital on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, our research brings together experts across campus, across specialties and across the lifespan. Our commitment to research conditions from before birth to beyond means we are best equipped not only to treat your child now, but also into adulthood.

“It is only through research that we can discover the cures, treatments and therapies of tomorrow, while saving lives today.” 
Dr. Ron Sokol, Chief Scientific Officer, Child Health Research Enterprise

Participating in a clinical trial

Whether you’re local to Colorado or live outside the state, your child could be eligible to participate in a clinical trial that helps drive breakthroughs in pediatric clinical care. All participation is voluntary, and clinical trials are federally regulated to prioritize quality, confidentiality and most importantly, safety. At Children's Colorado, we always put what’s best for your child first.

We know how important it is that you feel informed throughout the process of joining a clinical trial, and we want it to be as seamless as possible. For patients participating in-person or remotely, below are the steps involved in joining a research study.

Check out our list of active clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov. You can filter by topics that are relevant to your child’s diagnosis. Depending on the study, you may be able to participate remotely or in-person.

When you find a study that looks like a good fit, contact the team member listed in the study description.

If the team thinks your child could be a match for the study, they will ask you to come in for a screening visit. At the screening, your child will be assessed to make sure they match the requirements. This could include reviewing their medical history, filling out questionnaires and administering blood test or other medical tests.

Before your child enrolls in the clinical trial, you can talk to a research team member about all the details of the study. This ensures that you and your child can provide informed consent to participate. The team member will explain many things, including the purpose of the study, its benefits and risks, how long it will last and more. You’re invited to ask as many questions as you’d like, and you can use our FAQ page to help consider what questions to ask.

Once you have learned about the study and asked all your questions, take time to decide if this is right for your child. You are under no obligation, and we're dedicated to providing excellent care for your child regardless of whether or not they choose to participate. If you decide to take part in the study, you will be asked to sign a consent form on behalf of your child. Your child will also be asked to give assent to participate in the study.

After the consent process, your child is now part of the study. A member of the research team will provide you with copies of the consent and assent forms, give you contact information, help you schedule any necessary appointments and let you know what the next steps are.

Explore our clinical trials

When Bexley Schumaker was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August 2020, her doctors offered her the opportunity to participate in a clinical research trial.

"If we all do our part, no matter how small, we can make a difference. I truly believe one small action can make a huge impact," says Bexley’s mom, Jenny. "If they can use Bexley’s diagnosis to research and help another child in the future, of course we want to help another family or child, without question."

Learn how research impacted Bexley’s care

Frequently asked questions

We are here to answer any questions you may have to help you feel comfortable about your participation in our clinical trial research. Explore some of our frequently asked questions.