The effects of expensive cancer drugs may fall short of achieving the long-term health benefits they’re designed to create, according to an extensive new study that examined dozens of clinical trials published in Clinical Drug Investigation.
Most Cancer Drug Benefits Are Uncertain
A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg pored over claim reimbursement data in 40 clinical trials. While claim reports showed medicines to treat renal, lung, breast, and other cancers had therapeutic value, there was little evidence to support that the drugs were beneficial in the long run.Results from just seven of the 40 trials showed that drugs played a significant role in extending patient survival rates. Only four were linked to improved quality of life.
