Need for alternative trial designs and evaluation strategies for therapeutic studies of invasive mycoses

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Jul 1;33(1):95-106. doi: 10.1086/320876. Epub 2001 Jun 5.

Abstract

Studies of invasive fungal infections have been and remain difficult to implement. Randomized clinical trials of fungal infections are especially slow and expensive to perform because it is difficult to identify eligible patients in a timely fashion, to prove the presence of the fungal infection in an unequivocal fashion, and to evaluate outcome in a convincing fashion. Because of these challenges, licensing decisions for antifungal agents have to date depended heavily on historical control comparisons and secondary advantages of the new agent. Although the availability of newer and potentially more effective agents makes these approaches less desirable, the fundamental difficulties of trials of invasive fungal infections have not changed. Therefore, there is a need for alternative trial designs and evaluation strategies for therapeutic studies of invasive mycoses, and this article summarizes the possible strategies in this area.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods*
  • Research Design*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents