Al's Comment:
This study shows that participating in a clinical trial - ANY trial - results in a better outcome than not participating in a trial. I have always said this but here is the proof. It may have to do with being watched closer when in a trial - even if you are in a control group. Your scans and pathology reports get second opinions and they spend a lot more time reading them knowing that you are in a trial.
Posted on: 05/04/2013
J Clin Neurosci. 2013 Apr 29. pii: S0967-5868(12)00584-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2012.09.013. [Epub ahead of print]
Clinical trial participation and outcome for patients with glioblastoma: Multivariate analysis from a comprehensive dataset.
Field KM, Drummond KJ, Yilmaz M, Tacey M, Compston D, Gibbs P, Rosenthal MA.
Source
Department of Medical Oncology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Parkville Branch), Victoria, Australia; BioGrid Australia, Level 6 North, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia. Electronic address: Kathryn.field@mh.org.au.
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Although multiple clinical and tumor-related variables affect survival outcomes, the effect of clinical trial participation has not been explored. The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical trial participation improves outcome for patients with GBM. Data from patients with GBM were accessed from a dataset collected over 12years (1998-2010) at two institutions. Univariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to look for relationships between clinical trial participation, other baseline clinical and sociodemographic variables and overall survival (OS). In total, 542 patients were identified and included in the analysis; median age was 62years. Sixty-one patients (11%) were enrolled in a clinical trial. Clinical trial enrollment was associated with improved median survival (14.5months compared to 6.3months, p<0.001) and thisdifference remained significant in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.67, p=0.046). Age, poor performance status and operation type were also independent predictors for OS in multivariate analysis. Disease site, socioeconomic status and co-morbidity did not affect survival outcome. This is the first study in patients with GBM to suggest a survival benefit from clinical trial participation, independent of age and performance status; while also confirming the importance of other previously reported prognostic factors. This should encourage clinicians to offer trial therapies to patients with GBM and encourage patients to participate in available studies.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PMID: 23639619 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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