A plea for improved use of the tools available for the evaluation of anticancer drugs.
Superb methods of anticancer drug evaluation exist, but they are still being used inadequately. In comparative trials, it is essential that the statistical design and analysis eliminate the possibility of allocation (group membership) bias, assessment (measurement) bias and chance before it is possible to conclude that a real difference exists between the two treatments under test. Oncologists should examine these aspects critically before accepting that a trial shows a genuine treatment effect.
MacRae
K
K
Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, U.K.
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015983:Selection Bias
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents