Covariate-adjusted response-adaptive randomization for multi-arm clinical trials using a modified forward looking Gittins index rule.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a non-myopic, covariate-adjusted response adaptive (CARA) allocation design for multi-armed clinical trials. The allocation scheme is a computationally tractable procedure based on the Gittins index solution to the classic multi-armed bandit problem and extends the procedure recently proposed in Villar et al. (2015). Our proposed CARA randomization procedure is defined by reformulating the bandit problem with covariates into a classic bandit problem in which there are multiple combination arms, considering every arm per each covariate category as a distinct treatment arm. We then apply a heuristically modified Gittins index rule to solve the problem and define allocation probabilities from the resulting solution. We report the efficiency, balance, and ethical performance of ou

SUBMITTER: Villar SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6055987 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature