title: Refining endpoints in brain tumor clinical trials.
abstract: As targeted therapies advance treatment for brain tumors, standard clinical trial endpoints of survival, progression free survival and radiographic response have become insufficient to capture clinical benefit. Brain cancer is a malignancy with neurodegenerative features. In this setting prolongation of life and/or radiographic stability are less clinically meaningful if neurocognitive function substantially declines. Hence evaluation of new therapeutic strategies should routinely include periodic assessment of neurocognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-Oncology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. cameyers53@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: Edwin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.forename: Howard A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Fine
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*