Zeitschrift für klinische Krebsstudien

Patient Reported Outcomes in Cancer Clinical Trials: Measuring the Human Element

Abstract

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Cancer clinical trials have long been the cornerstone of medical research, providing critical insights into the effectiveness of novel treatments and therapies. Traditionally, clinical endpoints in these trials have relied heavily on objective measures, such as tumor size reduction or progressionfree survival. While these measures are undeniably valuable, they often fall short in capturing the full impact of cancer and its treatment on patients' lives. This is where Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) come into play, offering a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to understanding the human element of cancer clinical trials. PROs encompass a wide range of self-reported data, including patient perspectives on symptoms, functioning, quality of life and treatment side effects. By collecting and analyzing PROs in clinical trials, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how patients experience cancer and its treatments beyond mere clinical metrics. This patient-centric data is invaluable in assessing treatment efficacy, making informed decisions and improving the overall cancer care journey.