Publication
Title
Why phase III trials of maximal androgen blockade versus castration in M-1 prostate cancer rarely show statistically significant differences
Author
Abstract
BACKGROUND. The meta-analysis of maximal androgen blockade (MAB) concluded that there is no survival advantage of MAB over castration alone. However, the results from the largest trials yield conflicting results. METHODS. The design and results of three trials were examined. RESULTS. Most studies were planned to detect an over-optimistic difference in survival and immature data were published. The survival curves show that statistical assumptions are not fulfilled. Excluding from the mete-analysis all trials where a negative impact of disease flare on survival could not be excluded resulted in no difference in survival between MAB and castration. CONCLUSIONS. Trials of MAB should be planned to detect differences of no more than 5-10% in median survival. The analyses should only be carried out on mature data and should take into account the possibility of a negative impact on survival due to disease flare if no anti-androgen has been given initially with an LH-RH agonist. Prostate 48:29-39, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The prostate. - New York, N.Y.
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 2001
ISSN
0270-4137
DOI
10.1002/PROS.1078
Volume/pages
48 :1 , p. 29-39
ISI
000169066700004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.02.2012
Last edited 23.08.2022