Examining external control arms in oncology: A scoping review of applications to date.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating the comparative efficacy and safety of new cancer therapies. However, enrolling patients in control arms of clinical trials can be challenging for rare cancers, particularly in the context of precision oncology and targeted therapies. External Control Arms (ECAs) are a potential solution to address these challenges in clinical research design. We conducted a scoping review to explore the use of ECAs in oncology.

Methods

We systematically searched four databases, namely MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. We screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligible articles focusing on patients undergoing therapy for cancer, employing ECAs, and reporting clinical outcomes.

Results

SUBMITTER: Farah E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11234289 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature