Spotlight on landmark oncology trials: the latest evidence and novel trial designs

Helena Earl,
Stefano Molica and
Piotr RutkowskiEmail author

BMC Medicine201715:111

DOI: 10.1186/s12916-017-0884-7

Received: 12 May 2017

Accepted: 23 May 2017

Published: 2 June 2017

Open Peer Review reports

Abstract

The era of precision oncology is marked with prominent successes in the therapy of advanced soft tissue sarcomas, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and haematological neoplasms, among others. Moreover, recent trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and head and neck cancers have significantly influenced the therapeutic landscape by providing promising evidence for immunotherapy efficacy in the adjuvant setting in high-risk locoregional disease. To speed up the introduction of targeted therapy for cancer patients, novel phase II trials are being designed, and may likely form the basis for the ‘landmark trials’ of the future. A special article collection in BMC Medicine, “Spotlight on landmark oncology trials”, features articles from invited experts on recent clinical practice-changing trials.