title: The role of the data safety monitoring board: why was the Avastin phase III clinical trial stopped?
abstract: In early February 2006, Genentech Inc. issued a joint press release with Roche Holding Corporation explaining that their phase III early-stage colon cancer trial of Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA) would be stopped after the deaths of four patients. This announcement was the result of preliminary review of the data by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) that was formed to monitor the study. What is the DSMB? What criteria does it use to determine whether a study should be stopped early? The purpose of this article is to (a) explain the role of the DSMB, (b) give an overview of the Avastin Adjuvant (AVANT) study, and (c) provide information and resources about clinical trials for practicing RNs in oncology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiologic Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA. monica.mclemore@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Monica R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McLemore
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D026661:Clinical Trials Data Monitoring Committees; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068258:Bevacizumab