Randomized controlled trials in the era of molecular oncology: methodology, biomarkers, and end points

BACKGROUND: We previously reported metrics of systemic therapy randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in breast cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC), and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) published 1975-2004. To evaluate trends in the era of targeted therapies (TT), we have repeated a similar analysis of RCTs published 2005-2009. METHODS: A search for phase III RCTs of systemic agents published in five major journals 2005-2009 was carried out. Trials …