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Awan A, Basulaiman B, Stober C, Clemons M, Fergusson D, Hilton J, Al Ghareeb W, Goodwin R, Ibrahim M, Hutton B, Vandermeer L, Mallick R, Vickers MM. Oral magnesium supplements for cancer treatment-induced hypomagnesemia: Results from a pilot randomized trial. Health Sci Rep 2021; 4:e443. [PMID: 34938893 PMCID: PMC8669698 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Optimal management of cancer treatment-induced hypomagnesemia (hMg) is not known. We assessed the feasibility of using a novel pragmatic clinical trials model to compare two commonly used oral Mg replacement strategies. METHODS Patients with grade 1 to 3 hMg while receiving either platinum-based chemotherapy or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI) were randomized to oral magnesium oxide (MgOx) or oral magnesium citrate (MgCit). The trial methodology utilized the integrated consent model. Feasibility would be successful if; accrual rate was ≥5 patients a month and if measures of patient and physician engagement, were > 50%. Secondary endpoints included; comparison of Mg levels, cardiac arrhythmias, and rates of treatment delay/hospitalizations. RESULTS From July 2016 to December 2017, an average of 1 patient a month was accrued. All 15 eligible and approached patients consented to participate in the study (100% engagement) and 7/15 were randomized to MgOx and 8/15 to MgCit. The percentage of physicians who approached patients for the study was 4 of 6 (66.6% engagement). The mean slope of change in Mg (mmol/L/day) was 0.0022 (95% CI: -0.0001 to 0.0044) for MgOx and 0.0006 (95% CI, -0.0012 to 0.0024) for MgCit (P = .2123). Three patients (20%) required IV magnesium while on the study (2 MgCit and 1 MgOx). Grade 1 diarrhea occurred in 3 patients in the MgCit arm. CONCLUSION Despite oral magnesium tolerability and meeting most of its feasibility endpoints, this study did not meet its target accrual rate. Alternative designs would be necessary for a definitive efficacy study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Awan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Bassam Basulaiman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Carol Stober
- Cancer Therapeutics ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Mark Clemons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
- Cancer Therapeutics ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Dean Fergusson
- Department of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
- Clinical Epidemiology ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - John Hilton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
- Cancer Therapeutics ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Waleed Al Ghareeb
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Rachel Goodwin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Mohammed Ibrahim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Brian Hutton
- Clinical Epidemiology ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Lisa Vandermeer
- Cancer Therapeutics ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Ranjeeta Mallick
- Clinical Epidemiology ProgramOttawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Michael M. Vickers
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical OncologyThe Ottawa Hospital Cancer CentreOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
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Saunders D, Liu M, Vandermeer L, Alzahrani MJ, Hutton B, Clemons M. The Rethinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) Program. A Canadian-Led Pragmatic Trials Program: Strategies for Integrating Knowledge Users into Trial Design. Curr Oncol 2021; 28:3959-3977. [PMID: 34677255 PMCID: PMC8534460 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28050337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We reviewed patient and health care provider (HCP) surveys performed through the REaCT program. The REaCT team has performed 15 patient surveys (2298 respondents) and 13 HCP surveys (1033 respondents) that have addressed a broad range of topics in breast cancer management. Over time, the proportion of surveys distributed by paper/regular mail has fallen, with electronic distribution now the norm. For the patient surveys, the median duration of the surveys was 3 months (IQR 2.5-7 months) and the median response rate was 84% (IQR 80-91.7%). For the HCP surveys, the median survey duration was 3 months (IQR 1.75-4 months), and the median response rate, where available, was 28% (IQR 21.2-49%). The survey data have so far led to: 10 systematic reviews, 6 peer-reviewed grant applications and 19 clinical trials. Knowledge users should be an essential component of clinical research. The REaCT program has integrated surveys as a standard step of their trials process. The COVID-19 pandemic and reduced face-to-face interactions with patients in the clinic as well as the continued importance of social media highlight the need for alternative means of distributing and responding to surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Saunders
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Box 511, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; (D.S.); (M.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Michelle Liu
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Box 511, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; (D.S.); (M.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Lisa Vandermeer
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Box 511, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; (D.S.); (M.L.); (L.V.)
| | - Mashari Jemaan Alzahrani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Box 912, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada;
| | - Brian Hutton
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Box 511, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada;
| | - Mark Clemons
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Box 511, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; (D.S.); (M.L.); (L.V.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Box 912, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada;
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Clemons M, Simos D, Sienkiewicz M, Ng T, Zibdawi L, Basulaiman B, Awan A, Fergusson D, Vandermeer L, Saunders D, Hutton B, Amir E. A prospective multi-centre, randomized study comparing the addition of tapering dexamethasone to other standard of care therapies for taxane-associated pain syndrome (TAPS) in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:5787-5795. [PMID: 33742240 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06142-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Taxane-associated pain syndrome (TAPS) is common with docetaxel and is characterised by myalgias and arthralgias starting 2-3 days after treatment and can last for up to 7 days. Anecdotal evidence suggests that corticosteroids can reduce TAPS. This multicentre, randomized trial evaluated the effect of additional tapering dexamethasone on TAPS. METHODS 130 breast cancer patients commencing docetaxel were randomized to dexamethasone premedication (8 mg/twice daily for 3 days) or dexamethasone premedication followed by tapering dexamethasone (4 mg/daily for 2 days followed by 2 mg/daily for 2 days). The primary endpoint was absolute change in FACT-Taxane questionnaire during the first chemotherapy cycle. Secondary endpoints: proportion of patients with clinically significant TAPS, QoL, pain and toxicity. RESULTS 110/130 patients had complete data included in the primary analysis. The fall in FACT-Taxane scores was lower in the experimental group on day 5 (p = 0.05), but not on day 7 (p = 0.21). There was no difference in FACT-Taxane scores over the entire study duration (p = 0.59). Fewer patients in the experimental arm reported TAPS on day 5 (30 vs. 47%). There was a borderline significant attenuation of impairment of QoL with experimental treatment on day 5 (p = 0.06), but not day 7 (p = 0.53). Tapered schedule was associated with more dyspepsia and insomnia. CONCLUSION A tapering schedule of dexamethasone was associated with a brief reduction in docetaxel-associated symptoms which was observed only during dexamethasone exposure and did not persist after discontinuation of the drug. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03348696.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Clemons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Marta Sienkiewicz
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Terry Ng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Labib Zibdawi
- The Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, Newmarket, ON, Canada
| | - Bassam Basulaiman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Arif Awan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dean Fergusson
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Vandermeer
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Deanna Saunders
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Hutton
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Eitan Amir
- Division of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Clemons M, Fergusson D, Simos D, Mates M, Robinson A, Califaretti N, Zibdawi L, Bahl M, Raphael J, Ibrahim MFK, Fernandes R, Pitre L, Aseyev O, Stober C, Vandermeer L, Saunders D, Hutton B, Mallick R, Pond GR, Awan A, Hilton J. A multicentre, randomised trial comparing schedules of G-CSF (filgrastim) administration for primary prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in early stage breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2020; 31:951-957. [PMID: 32325257 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal duration of filgrastim as primary febrile neutropenia (FN) prophylaxis in early breast cancer patients is unknown, with 5, 7 or 10 days being commonly prescribed. This trial evaluates whether 5 days of filgrastim was non-inferior to 7/10 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this randomised, open-label trial, early breast cancer patients who were to receive filgrastim as primary FN prophylaxis were randomly allocated to 5 versus 7 versus 10 days of filgrastim for all chemotherapy cycles. A protocol amendment in November 2017 allowed subsequent patients (N = 324) to be randomised to either 5 or 7/10 days. The primary outcome was a composite of either FN or treatment-related hospitalisations. Secondary outcomes included chemotherapy dose reductions, delays and discontinuations. Analyses were carried out by per protocol (primary) and intention-to-treat, and the non-inferiority margin was set at 3% for the risk of having FN and/or hospitalisation per cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS Patients (N = 466) were randomised to receive 5 (184, 39.5%), or 7/10 (282, 60.5%) days of filgrastim. In our primary analysis, the difference in risk of either FN or treatment-related hospitalisation per cycle was -1.52% [95% confidence interval (CI): -3.22% to 0.19%] suggesting non-inferiority of a 5-day filgrastim schedule compared with 7/10-days. The difference in events per cycle for FN was 0.11% (95% CI: -1.05 to 1.27) while for treatment-related hospitalisations it was -1.68% (95% CI: -2.73% to -0.63%). The overall proportions of patients having at least one occurrence of either FN or treatment-related hospitalisation were 11.8% and 14.96% for the 5- and 7/10-day groups, respectively (risk difference: -3.17%, 95% CI: -9.51% to 3.18%). CONCLUSION Five days of filgrastim was non-inferior to 7/10 days. Given the cost and toxicity of this agent, 5 days should be considered standard of care. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV REGISTRATION NCT02428114 and NCT02816164.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Clemons
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - D Fergusson
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - D Simos
- The Stronach Regional Cancer Center, Newmarket, Canada
| | - M Mates
- Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kingston, Canada
| | - A Robinson
- Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kingston, Canada
| | - N Califaretti
- Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, Kitchener, Canada
| | - L Zibdawi
- The Stronach Regional Cancer Center, Newmarket, Canada
| | - M Bahl
- Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, Kitchener, Canada
| | - J Raphael
- Department of Medical Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada; Division of Medical Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, Western University, London, Canada
| | - M F K Ibrahim
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, Canada
| | - R Fernandes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada
| | - L Pitre
- The Northeast Cancer Centre, Sudbury, Canada
| | - O Aseyev
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, Thunder Bay, Canada
| | - C Stober
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - L Vandermeer
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - D Saunders
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - B Hutton
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - R Mallick
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - G R Pond
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - A Awan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - J Hilton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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5
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Creating a pragmatic trials program for breast cancer patients: Rethinking Clinical Trials (REaCT). Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 177:93-101. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-019-05274-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Clemons M, Mazzarello S, Hilton J, Joy A, Price-Hiller J, Zhu X, Verma S, Kehoe A, Ibrahim MF, Sienkiewicz M, Stober C, Vandermeer L, Hutton B, Mallick R, Fergusson D. Feasibility of using a pragmatic trials model to compare two primary febrile neutropenia prophylaxis regimens (ciprofloxacin versus G-CSF) in patients receiving docetaxel-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for breast cancer (REaCT-TC). Support Care Cancer 2018; 27:1345-1354. [PMID: 30099602 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4408-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Optimal primary febrile neutropenia (FN) prophylaxis (i.e. ciprofloxacin or granulocyte-colony stimulating factors [G-CSF]) for patients receiving docetaxel-cyclophosphamide (TC) chemotherapy is unknown. We assessed the feasibility of using a novel pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial to compare these standard-of-care options. METHODS Early-stage breast cancer patients receiving TC chemotherapy were randomised to either ciprofloxacin or G-CSF. Trial methodology consists of broad eligibility criteria, simply-defined endpoints, integrated consent model incorporating oral consent, and web-based randomisation in the clinic. Primary feasibility endpoints included patient and physician engagement (if > 50% of patients approached agree to participate and if > 50% of physicians approached patients for the study). Secondary clinical endpoints included the following: first occurrence rates of FN, treatment-related hospitalisation, or chemotherapy dose reduction/delay/discontinuation, as well as patient satisfaction with the oral consent process. RESULTS Of 204 patients approached, 91.2% (186/204) agreed to randomisation. Sixteen of twenty (80%) participating medical oncologists randomised patients. Median patient age was 57.7 (range 31.8-84.1). The 186 patients received 557 cycles of chemotherapy. Overall incidences of first events by patient (n = 186) were as follows: FN (18/186, 21.43%), treatment-related hospitalisation (11/186, 13.10%), chemotherapy reduction (19/186, 22.62%), chemotherapy discontinuation (16/186, 19.05%), and chemotherapy delays (5/186, 5.95%). A total of 37.77% (69/186) of patients and 12.39% (69/557) of chemotherapy cycles had at least one of these first events. Patients were highly satisfied with the oral consent process. CONCLUSION This study met its feasibility endpoints. This model offers a means of comparing standard-of-care treatments in a practical and cost-efficient manner. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT02173262.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Clemons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- Cancer Research Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Sasha Mazzarello
- Cancer Research Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - John Hilton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Anil Joy
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Julie Price-Hiller
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Xiaofu Zhu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Shailendra Verma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Anne Kehoe
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mohammed Fk Ibrahim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Marta Sienkiewicz
- Cancer Research Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Carol Stober
- Cancer Research Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lisa Vandermeer
- Cancer Research Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Brian Hutton
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ranjeeta Mallick
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Dean Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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Stewart DJ, Stewart AA, Wheatley-Price P, Batist G, Kantarjian HM, Schiller J, Clemons M, Bradford JP, Gillespie L, Kurzrock R. The importance of greater speed in drug development for advanced malignancies. Cancer Med 2018; 7:1824-1836. [PMID: 29601671 PMCID: PMC5943431 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It takes on average 6-12 years to develop new anticancer drugs from discovery to approval. Effective new agents prolong survival. To demonstrate the importance of rapid drug approval, we calculated life-years potentially saved if selected agents were approved more rapidly. As illustrative examples, we used 27 trials documenting improvements in survival. We multiplied improvement in median survival by numbers of patients dying annually and multiplied this by number of years from drug discovery until approval. For every year by which time to drug approval could have been shortened, there would have been a median number of life-years potentially saved of 79,920 worldwide per drug. Median number of life-years lost between time of drug discovery and approval was 1,020,900 per example. If we were able to use available opportunities to decrease the time required to take a drug from discovery to approval to 5 years, the median number of life-years saved per example would have been 523,890 worldwide. Various publications have identified opportunities to speed drug development without sacrificing patient safety. While many investigational drugs prove to be ineffective, some significantly prolong survival and/or reduce suffering. These illustrative examples suggest that a substantial number of life-years could potentially be saved by increasing the efficiency of development of new drugs for advanced malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Stewart
- The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Paul Wheatley-Price
- The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gerald Batist
- Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Joan Schiller
- The Inova Dwight and Martha Schar Cancer Institute, Fairfax, Virginia and Lung Cancer Research Foundation, New York, USA
| | - Mark Clemons
- The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John-Peter Bradford
- Bradford Bachinski Limited and the Life Saving Therapies Network, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Razelle Kurzrock
- University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, California
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