This story reports on a wide range of new cancer treatments that fall under the general category of immunotherapy. These therapies use the body’s own immune system to selectively attack cancer cells. The concept of immunotherapy is not a new one, but it is a growing research area that has yet to live up to its hype. This story attempts to outline the controversies surrounding this field, but is flawed in several ways.
The story claims that many immunotherapies are almost ready to go up for FDA approval, but this is not sufficient information on availability. The story should have made it clear that these therapies are currently only available through clinical trials. Furthermore, the story should have cautioned the reader that these therapies would only be appropriate after first-line treatments have failed (except in certain rare cases).
Although the story mentions several clinical trials, the story does not give the reader enough information on the strength of the available evidence from any of the trials. Furthermore, the story does not quantify the benefits of immunotherapy. The story also does not mention costs, which are likely to be very high.
The story does provide some balance in perspective by quoting two MD Anderson researchers as well as a scientist at the NCI, who cautions the reader about “making claims before the real data’s in.”
The story does not mention costs, which are likely to be very high.
The story does not quantify the benefits of immunotherapy.
The story claims that “immunotherapy’s great appeal is its nontoxicity” and that a patient has had no side effects. This is not enough information on the harms of treatment.
Although the story mentions several clinical trials, the story does not give the reader enough information on the strength of the available evidence from any of the trials.
The story does not engage in disease mongering.
The story quotes two MD Anderson researchers as well as a scientist at the NCI, who provides much needed balance at the end of the story.
The story mentions chemotherapy and radiation as alternatives.
The story claims that many immunotherapies are almost ready to go up for FDA approval. This is not sufficient information on availability. The story should have made it clear that these therapies are currently only available through clinical trials. Furthermore, the story should have cautioned the reader that these therapies would only be appropriate after first-line treatments have failed (except in certain rare cases).
The story clearly states that the idea of immunotherapy has been around for a long time but that recently the field has been burgeoning with new approaches.
There is no way to know whether the story relied on a press release as the sole source of information.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
We’ve written about the hype of liquid biopsies for years (see link in comment below). And now this…. https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/12/medicare-shouldnt-cover-liquid-biopsies-early-cancer-detection/
Case counts still matter. “(There) are stories that may not be told adequately if only hospitalizations and deaths are emphasized.” @garyschwitzer interviewed by @dbauder of @AP. https://apnews.com/article/omicron-changing-news-outlets-covid-data-da9272f7c4c8a109c3bfb56bed9e9c76
My friend Gary @garyschwitzer wrote to his city council representative in a Minnesota town about a Viva Las Vegas event scheduled for January.
The response he got seems to perfectly capture where we are now.
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/12/2021-ends-with-covid-craziness-in-sports-and-politics/
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