New melanoma drugs improve chances of survival
Reviewed By
Rating
New melanoma drugs improve chances of survival
Our Review Summary
No discussion of drug costs – which are substantial.
And the story didn’t explain, as the New York Times did, that 38% of vemurafenib trial participants had to stop taking the drug or lower the dose because of side effects. And there wasn’t a word about side effects from ipilimumab.
Why This Matters
The competing New York Times story used clear restraint in describing the findings:
- “notable progress”
- “do not cure”
- “might add two to several moths to expected lifespans”
- “To be sure, more than half of patients with metastatic melanoma would not be helped all that much by either drug.”
But this story had none of that. Instead, readers only read about:
- “uNPRecedented level of difference”
- “huge difference…Even if it diminished over time, who cares?”
- “uNPRecedented time”
A better balance was possible.
Criteria
Not Satisfactory
No discussion of costs – only of potential sales volume.
Isn’t the significant cost of both drugs worth at least one line a story like this?
Satisfactory
Adequate job reporting the benefits seen in the two trials.
Not Satisfactory
The story mentioned only skin rashes and joint pain from vemurafenib, but the story didn’t explain, as the New York Times did, that 38% of trial participants had to stop taking the drug or lower the dose because of side effects. And there wasn’t a word about side effects from ipilimumab.
Satisfactory
Adequately explained.
Satisfactory
No disease-mongering of melanoma.
Satisfactory
One independent source – a panel moderator – and a stock analyst were quoted.
Satisfactory
The story adequately described the comparison data reported in the two studies.
Satisfactory
Adequately described. The story appropriately notes that vemurafenib is experimental and Yervoy has been approved for use in the US.
Satisfactory
The relative novelty of the two drugs was described.
Satisfactory
It’s clear that the story did not rely on a news release.
Total Score: 8 of 10 Satisfactory
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