Evolution of clinical trials and regulatory challenges in Europe: a data-driven perspective

The Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘clickbait’ as “a headline designed to make readers want to click on a hyperlink”.1 When this phenomenon occurs in the context of health—particularly in relation to new research or clinical trials—it becomes especially striking and often nearly irresistible. In scientific research the term is frequently used to describe a lure intended to attract public interest towards a specific topic and generate engagement on social media. Examples include sensationalist headlines proclaiming a definitive cure for cancer or the genotypic detection of a rare disease. However, such claims rarely align with the realities experienced by researchers in healthcare settings, particularly when examining global research trends over recent years. Several studies have shown that media headlines often exaggerate or distort the results of clinical trials.2 For instance, a study conducted by Cardiff University analysed more than 400 press releases and found that approximately 40% presented more optimistic conclusions than those in the … Correspondence to Dr Eduardo Tejedor-Tejada; edutejedor91{at}gmail.com