HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - the government bean counters want a trial of a Finher like regimen vs the HERAregimen

Lani · 01-02-2008, 11:06 AM

the Fin Her study used an entirely different chemo cocktail given in an entirely different time course than either the HERA study or the No. American studies;

One can't compare apples with oranges. I, for one, have never seen the same cocktail offeredin the same way in any large study. and the FinHer study has yet to be carried out (or at least generate any published data) on a larger group of patients.

The FinHer was a tiny study compared with HERA and the No. American study, so those who interpret its numerical results as being the same or better do so at their own peril--to find differences you must compare large numbers and equal numbers. Thus the "experts" at conferences always preface their remarks by saying it was an "intriguing" but tiny study which needs to be repeated with more patients.

I won't play devil's advocate and don the "costume" of the hard nosed "there isn't enough data" mantra speakers I so frequently express irritation with--I don't go there because if there isn't enough data to prove something is better that doesn't mean it isn't better and shouldn't be considered.

The fact is we are only at the beginning of getting any of these answers and the answers aren't known.

What I will do is point out the fallacies of comparing likes with unlikes and large studies with small.

That is not to say your conclusion isn't true--it may very well be. Just whether your hypothesis has enough/the right data to prove it.

While at SABCS I heard Dr. Slamon read a suggestion submitted from the audience which formulated a way of getting the same information without added expense or time. He called it brilliant and asked the person to come to the front afterwards and collaborate on a paper.

So something is in the works!

01-02-2008, 11:06 AM	#7
Lani Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,783	Debbie the Fin Her study used an entirely different chemo cocktail given in an entirely different time course than either the HERA study or the No. American studies; One can't compare apples with oranges. I, for one, have never seen the same cocktail offeredin the same way in any large study. and the FinHer study has yet to be carried out (or at least generate any published data) on a larger group of patients. The FinHer was a tiny study compared with HERA and the No. American study, so those who interpret its numerical results as being the same or better do so at their own peril--to find differences you must compare large numbers and equal numbers. Thus the "experts" at conferences always preface their remarks by saying it was an "intriguing" but tiny study which needs to be repeated with more patients. I won't play devil's advocate and don the "costume" of the hard nosed "there isn't enough data" mantra speakers I so frequently express irritation with--I don't go there because if there isn't enough data to prove something is better that doesn't mean it isn't better and shouldn't be considered. The fact is we are only at the beginning of getting any of these answers and the answers aren't known. What I will do is point out the fallacies of comparing likes with unlikes and large studies with small. That is not to say your conclusion isn't true--it may very well be. Just whether your hypothesis has enough/the right data to prove it. While at SABCS I heard Dr. Slamon read a suggestion submitted from the audience which formulated a way of getting the same information without added expense or time. He called it brilliant and asked the person to come to the front afterwards and collaborate on a paper. So something is in the works!