Summary
A quotation from the authors’ abstract may say it all:
“This systematic evaluation of oncology approvals by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2009-13 shows that most drugs entered the market without evidence of benefit on survival or quality of life. At a minimum of 3.3 years after market entry, there was still no conclusive evidence that these drugs either extended or improved life for most cancer indications. When there were survival gains over existing treatment options or placebo, they were often marginal”.
Reference
Many new cancer drugs show ‘no clear benefit’, argues review. London: NHS Choices; Behind the Headlines, October 5th 2017.
This relates to:
Full Text Link (Note: This article is available freely at present, but may soon require a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Davis, C. Naci, H. [and] Gurpinar, E. [et al] (2017). Availability of evidence of benefits on overall survival and quality of life of cancer drugs approved by European Medicines Agency: retrospective cohort study of drug approvals 2009-13. BMJ. October 4th 2017; 359: j4530.
Immunotherapy a Game Changer?: September 2019 Update
Reference
Gallagher, J. (2016). Skin cancer: Half of people surviving advanced melanoma. London: BBC Health News, September 28th 2019.
