RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Phase 1 oncology trials and informed consent JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 761 OP 764 DO 10.1136/medethics-2012-100832 VO 39 IS 12 A1 Franklin G Miller A1 Steven Joffe YR 2013 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/39/12/761.abstract AB Ethical concerns have been raised about the quality of informed consent by participants in phase 1 oncology trials. Interview surveys indicate that substantial proportions of trial participants do not understand the purpose of these trials—evaluating toxicity and dosing for subsequent efficacy studies—and overestimate the prospect of therapeutic benefit that they offer. In this article we argue that although these data suggest the desirability of enhancing the process of information disclosure and assessment of comprehension of the implications of study participation, they do not necessarily invalidate consent by phase 1 trial participants.