Adaptive clinical trial articles from across Nature Portfolio

In a Bayesian adaptive randomized trial comparing various metronomic chemotherapy regimens versus conventional chemotherapy plus anti-PD-1 in women with HER2-negative breast cancer, a metronomic chemotherapy-based regimen appears to be clinically effective, with evidence that on-treatment immune changes may be trackable for assessing response.

Ikeguchi et al. established nerve conduits from three patients’ dermal fibroblasts using a bioprinter and transplanted them back into the patients’ nerve defects. No adverse events occurred, and the nerves recovered following the transplant.

The use of a standardized outcome metric enhances clinical trial interpretation and cross-trial comparison. Here, the authors show the implementation of such a metric using type 1 diabetes trial data, reassess and compare results from these trials, and extend its use to define response to therapy.

Clinical trials often enrol homogeneous populations that do not accurately represent the patient populations served. However, diverse research participation is necessary to establish fair standards of care, minimize outcome disparities and achieve social equity. Here, the authors discuss reasons for reduced trial participation and provide a framework for increasing diversity in clinical trials.

Applying federalist principles to networked health record data could facilitate realization of the potential of shared health data.