Trial design on prophylaxis and treatment of brain metastases: lessons learned from the EORTC Brain Metastases Strategic Meeting 2012

Eur J Cancer. 2012 Dec;48(18):3439-47. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.07.002. Epub 2012 Aug 8.

Abstract

Brain metastases (BM) occur in a significant proportion of cancer patients and are associated with considerable morbidity and poor prognosis. The trial design in BM patients is particularly challenging, as many disease and patient variables, statistical issues, and the selection of appropriate end-points have to be taken into account. During a meeting organised on behalf of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), methodological aspects of trial design in BM were discussed. This paper summarises the issues and potential trial strategies discussed during this meeting and may provide some guidance for the design of trials in BM patients.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / methods*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / prevention & control
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects
  • Endpoint Determination
  • Europe
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic / methods*
  • Neuroimaging / standards
  • Palliative Care
  • Patient Selection
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Research Design
  • Translational Research, Biomedical
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers