Maximizing returns on proof of concept oncology trials

SAN DIEGO – When designing phase II proof of concept trials, companies want to maximize the chance of seeing a signal. Avoiding so-called type III errors – trials that would have been successful but were never performed – leads to a "no drug left behind" mentality, Cong Chen, director of biostatistics and research decision science at Merck & Co. Inc. told the audience during a panel at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting last week.