Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. If caught early, it is highly treatable. If found in advanced stages, the 5 year survival drops significantly. This story reports on the results of a small pilot study showing a benefit in treating advanced stage melanoma using a new class of drug. This short story does a great job of informing the reader while using a minimum of words (only 343).
The story adequately represents the availability and novelty of the new drug. The story accurately describes the strength of the available evidence by correctly describing the current study as "small" and "preliminary."
The story does a good job of quantifying the benefits of treatment in absolute terms by providing the actual number of months with no new lesions for both the new drug group and the standard treatment group.
Finally, the story does mention that "there are very few drugs available for people with advanced melanoma." However, the story could have elaborated on the available alternatives and how this new drug may fit in with the existing options.
The story does not mention costs, but it is understandable that pricing may not be available with a drug so early in development.
The story does a good job of quantifying the benefits of treatment in absolute terms by providing the actual number of months with no new lesions for both the new drug group and the standard treatment group.
The story mentions that potential harms of the drug include a drop in white blood cells, back pain and fatigue.
The story adequately describes the design of the current study. The story accurately describes the study as "small" and "preliminary."
The story does not overstate the seriousness or prevalence of melanoma.
The story quotes one independent expert in addition to a representative of the company.
The story does mention that "there are very few drugs available for people with advanced melanoma." However, the story could have elaborated on the available alternatives and how this new drug may fit in with the existing options.
The story clearly states that the drug is in very early stages of development and has not yet been submitted for approval.
The story clearly states that the drug is new.
There is no way to know if the story relied on a press release as the sole source of information.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
The @nytimes chose to interview one of the editors of the @AnnalsofIM (publisher of this paper) who "gushed with extraordinary glee: It’s huge! There are very few things that reduce your mortality by 30%."
Turns out coffee is not one of those few things despite all that glee. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1533202075928215558
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