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  • Letter to the Editor
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Reply to the research mission in myeloma by Richardson et al.

Leukemia volume 23, pages 423–424 (2009)Cite this article

Although by definition the purpose of editorials is to provoke discussion, I share the authors’ indignation1 with the implications regarding research clinicians' motivations and the influence of corporate rhetoric they have surmized my editorial to contain.2 This was not what I intended to convey, and I am grateful that they have taken the time to correct these misconceptions. In response I acknowledge here the fact that not only research clinicians, but all interested health care professionals (including those in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, philanthropic organizations and medical education companies) involved in myeloma clinical trials have a common, unifying and over-riding goal of helping patients.

I agree with the authors that in many recent trials a higher complete response (CR) rate is associated with a survival advantage.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 I share the view that the introduction of new agents in myeloma has significantly improved overall survival. The concern I meant to raise was that the relationship between CR and improved overall survival (OS) is not consistent, and this becomes more apparent when one considers trials in which a higher response is associated with a higher early mortality, and/or at best, no improvement in survival.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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References

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  1. Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    P L Bergsagel

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Bergsagel, P. Reply to the research mission in myeloma by Richardson et al.. Leukemia 23, 423–424 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2008.211

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