Should We Design Clinical Trials Differently in the Era of Cancer Immunotherapy?

Abstract

The oncology clinical trials are evolving in the era of cancer immunotherapy. In Phase I trials, some severe immune-related adverse events occur beyond the first cycle. This is important to determine the recommended Phase II dose if the treatment duration is long. If there is no dose–response/toxicity relationship, it will not be necessary to push to the maximum tolerated dose. In Phase II trials, companion predictive biomarkers are valuable in cancers with intermediate response rates. Randomized (comparison, selection, or discontinuation) Phase II trials are needed in cancer immunotherapy combination. In Phase III trials, milestone analysis and restricted mean survival time could serve as the alternatives to hazard ratio to fit the survival kinetics of cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords

• clinical trials
• drug development
• immuno-oncology