[Letter to InfoLink cited at Prevention of Prostate Cancer page]
August 08, 1995
Enrollment for the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial on track
As the lead statistician on the Prostate Cancer
Prevention Trial (PCPT) coordinated by the
Southwest Oncology Group, I am writing to address
some concerns about the information available
on the Internet through The Prostate Cancer
InfoLink about the PCPT.
An article about the PCPT dated as being last
revised on July 10, 1995, states: "However, we
have heard that this trial is not enrolling
patients as fast as was hoped, and also that
patients are dropping out of the trial at an
unexpectedly high rate. If this is true, then it
may take longer for this trial to be completed."
In fact, the PCPT accrual is above that which was
predicted at the inception of the trial. The rate
has slowed down but, at our current rate of
accrual, it is predicted that the trial will
complete the accrual/randomization phase by July
1996. This is still sooner than the January 1997
date that was originally projected.
The Data and Safety Monitoring Committee is
monitoring the drop-out rate and has not
recommended any changes to trial design based on
the current rate. That is to say the drop-out
rate is still within the range that was expected
for this trial.
I would appreciate it if the paragraph quoted
above could be removed from the article in The
Prostate Cancer InfoLink about the PCPT. We feel
that this paragraph reflects poorly on the trial
and may adversely affect both our accrual and
drop-out rates. If you plan any revisions in the
near future I would be happy to discuss the trial
with you.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Phyllis Goodman
Southwest Oncology Group Statistical Center
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington
Editor's comment: The Prostate Cancer InfoLink regrets any
unintended misinformation. The relevant section of The Prostate
Cancer InfoLink has been appropriately updated and can be reviewed
by clicking here.
(received on August 07, 1995)
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