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Progression-free survival, patient-reported outcomes, and the Holy Grail

In oncology clinical trials, overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard for clinical benefit. However, because there are so many available treatment options for most types of cancer, survival analysis in clinical trials is often confounded by subsequent therapies. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an endpoint not so confounded, and one that requires fewer patients and less time to arrive at a conclusion about a new therapy. As a result, an ever-increasing number of oncology clinical trials are launched in which PFS is used as the primary endpoint. Several years ago, Pazdur1 emphasized that the time-to-progression endpoint must use the same evaluation techniques and schedules for all treatment arms and he recommended blinding of trials or at minimum, the use of an external blinded radiographic review committee. He also noted that improvement in disease-related symptoms qualifies as clinical benefit and may therefore be an appropriate endpoint for drug approval.

 

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The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology - 12(8)
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Page Number
265-266
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clinical trials, endpoint, overall survival, progression-free survival, patient-reported outcome,
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Article PDF

In oncology clinical trials, overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard for clinical benefit. However, because there are so many available treatment options for most types of cancer, survival analysis in clinical trials is often confounded by subsequent therapies. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an endpoint not so confounded, and one that requires fewer patients and less time to arrive at a conclusion about a new therapy. As a result, an ever-increasing number of oncology clinical trials are launched in which PFS is used as the primary endpoint. Several years ago, Pazdur1 emphasized that the time-to-progression endpoint must use the same evaluation techniques and schedules for all treatment arms and he recommended blinding of trials or at minimum, the use of an external blinded radiographic review committee. He also noted that improvement in disease-related symptoms qualifies as clinical benefit and may therefore be an appropriate endpoint for drug approval.

 

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

 

In oncology clinical trials, overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard for clinical benefit. However, because there are so many available treatment options for most types of cancer, survival analysis in clinical trials is often confounded by subsequent therapies. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an endpoint not so confounded, and one that requires fewer patients and less time to arrive at a conclusion about a new therapy. As a result, an ever-increasing number of oncology clinical trials are launched in which PFS is used as the primary endpoint. Several years ago, Pazdur1 emphasized that the time-to-progression endpoint must use the same evaluation techniques and schedules for all treatment arms and he recommended blinding of trials or at minimum, the use of an external blinded radiographic review committee. He also noted that improvement in disease-related symptoms qualifies as clinical benefit and may therefore be an appropriate endpoint for drug approval.

 

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

 

Issue
The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology - 12(8)
Issue
The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology - 12(8)
Page Number
265-266
Page Number
265-266
Publications
Publications
Topics
Article Type
Display Headline
Progression-free survival, patient-reported outcomes, and the Holy Grail
Display Headline
Progression-free survival, patient-reported outcomes, and the Holy Grail
Legacy Keywords
clinical trials, endpoint, overall survival, progression-free survival, patient-reported outcome,
Legacy Keywords
clinical trials, endpoint, overall survival, progression-free survival, patient-reported outcome,
Sections
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JCSO 2014;12:265-266
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