The lancet oncology
-
Randomised controlled trials are the gold standard method for developing evidence-based medicine. Good trial design and an awareness of some potential pitfalls are likely to maximise the chances of a successful trial with a conclusion that adds meaningfully to the evidence base. This paper is aimed at people early in their research careers and focuses on some common, usually avoidable, pitfalls in trial design. The areas covered include: assessing the scientific idea; trial design; size and duration of the trial; analysis; and reporting and presentation.
-
The lancet oncology · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyEffect of graft source on unrelated donor haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation in adults with acute leukaemia: a retrospective analysis.
Umbilical-cord blood (UCB) is increasingly considered as an alternative to peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) or bone marrow, especially when an HLA-matched adult unrelated donor is not available. We aimed to determine the optimal role of UCB grafts in transplantation for adults with acute leukaemia, and to establish whether current graft-selection practices are appropriate. ⋯ These data support the use of UCB for adults with acute leukaemia when there is no HLA-matched unrelated adult donor available, and when a transplant is needed urgently.