2675 - Impact of estimand selection on adjuvant treatment outcomes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

Background

The estimand framework requires a precise definition of the clinical question of interest (estimand) to account for “intercurrent” events, eg in RCC the appearance of second primary malignancies or the start of new therapy. Selection of the appropriate estimand will drive trial design and support discussions about relevant treatment effects, interpretation of study results, and the added value of drugs.

Methods

A cross-industry collaboration of statisticians and clinicians has worked on connecting estimand framework concepts to different applications. Data from previously reported phase 3, placebo-controlled studies S-TRAC (NCT00375674) and PROTECT (NCT01235962) will be used to illustrate the effect of different estimands on adjuvant treatment outcomes in RCC.

Results

Table shows the treatment outcomes for different estimands. Treatment outcomes were similar to the specified primary analysis irrespective of the clinical question asked; however, the studies were not powered to address each of these questions and not all reached statistical significance. The new framework clarifies that different analyses address different questions. The choice of the primary estimand impacts study design and may have regulatory implications. In RCC, considerations as to whether all second primary malignancies or non-disease related deaths should be considered disease-free survival events are required to further specify study objectives and to determine the events needed for the final analysis.Table:

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Conclusions

In S-TRAC and PROTECT, there are similar treatment effects irrespective of the estimand selected and the clinical question asked. However, this may not be the case in all trials and considerations should be given to the clinical question of interest during trial design. Dialogue between all stakeholders is required and physicians will play a key role in such discussions to select the appropriate estimand.

Clinical trial identification

NCT003756674 and NCT01235962.

Editorial acknowledgement

David Cope, PhD, of Engage Scientific Solutions and funded by Pfizer.

Legal entity responsible for the study

Pfizer.

Funding

Pfizer.

Disclosure

D.J. George: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Sanofi; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Exelixis; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Research grant / Funding (self): Genentech/Roche; Research grant / Funding (self): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (self): Astellas; Research grant / Funding (self): Celldex; Research grant / Funding (self): Acerta; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Janssen; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Innocrin Pharma; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb. M. Casey: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Pfizer. E. Degtyarev: Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. M.J. Lechuga Frean: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Pfizer. P. Aimone: Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. A. Ravaud: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck Sharp & Dohme. R.J. Motzer: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Genentech/Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: Incyte; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Exelixis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (institution): GlaxoSmithKline. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.