Continuous endpoints in Bayesian two-stage designs

J Biopharm Stat. 2016;26(5):966-77. doi: 10.1080/10543406.2016.1148719. Epub 2016 Feb 18.

Abstract

Single-arm two-stage designs for phase II of clinical trials typically focus on a binary endpoint obtained by dichotomizing an underlying continuous measure of treatment efficacy. To avoid the resulting loss of information, we propose a two-stage design based on a Bayesian predictive approach that directly uses the original continuous endpoint. Numerical results are provided with reference to phase II cancer trials aimed at assessing tumor shrinking effect of an experimental treatment.

Keywords: Analysis prior; Design prior; Sample size determination; Skew normal distribution.

MeSH terms

  • Bayes Theorem*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Endpoint Determination*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Research Design*
  • Treatment Outcome