Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma European Prognosis Score Validated
European Prognosis Score Validated in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A recent article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports that the current model for determining the prognosis for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a valid tool for determining high and low-risk patients for clinical trial participation.
The current model for determining the prognosis for MPM is known as the European Prognosis Score (EPS). This was designed by members of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). This model includes 5 factors: white blood cell count, performance score, probable histology, definite sarcomatous histology, and gender. In this recent trial, researchers sought to test the accuracy of this model in patients who were undergoing treatment in phase II clinical trials at St. Bartholomew’s hospital in London.
During the study, 145 participants were divided into high and low-risk groups based on EPS. Patients were treated with various types of chemotherapy based on the clinical trial in which they were enrolled. Extensive analysis revealed that EPS was not associated with an objective tumor response; however, the EPS was found to be an accurate indicator for determining high and low-risk categories of patients. These researchers concluded that the EPS system is a valid tool for determining high and low-risk subgroups and “should facilitate patient selection and analysis in randomized trials.”
Comments: Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a difficult malignancy to determine response rates and the impact of treatment on outcomes. The EPS system may help facilitate the identification of useful treatments by assigning risk groups prior to enrollment in a specific study.
Reference: Fennell D, Parmar A, et al. Statistical Validation of the EORTC Prognostic Model for the Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Based on Three Consecutive Phase II Trials. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2005; 23: 184-189.
© 1998- 2004 CancerConsultants.com All Rights Reserved.
European Prognosis Score Validated in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma