RIP Brandon Ryan

[Joan M]

The ethical dilemma of clinical trials, including T-DM1. In today's paper:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/health/research/19trial.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

[Patb]

This story just breaks my heart. What is the
answer when so many just don't get it.
patb

[Rich66]

One of the problems of being beholden to the slow going clinical trial route. And chances are, participants were taken off the trial drug at first sign of progression. This despite growing evidence that targeted drugs like Herceptin can have benefit beyond progression..maybe working on cancer stem cells if used long enough. Another reason to question the sole use of "shrinkage" (http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=46690) as a gauge of effectiveness.
But...what if Brandon had had one of his nodes/tumors sensitivity tested (http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=222355#post222355) amongst a myriad of "unconventional" (for Melanoma) but accessible chemo combinations? Do they really know enough to be sure there wasn't a combination available that might have worked? Do they? Was the mom even told that avenue exists?

[tricia keegan]

Surely if a drug is deemed to be working and showing success the patients in the control group should have access to it if their lives are in danger?

I think to do otherwise is unethical.

[BonnieR]

How tragic.

[Jackie07]

What an awful story! Instead of celebrating a saved life, the family/relatives have to be mourning for the lost one.

The FDA needs to change its guidelines for the 21st Century. So many drugs can now be tested in the labs. The 'authority' needs to shorten the time required for clinical trials.

[Trish]

Heartbreaking. Research paradigms really have to be rethought. Methodology derived from the physical sciences just does not meet the needs of humans.
Trish