Statistics for Oncology
Oncology studies have formed a large part of Quantics’ work in our 20+ years of consultancy. We have vast experience of supporting the life-saving work involved in developing the cancer treatments of the future.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is among the most commonly occurring cancers, with an estimated 13.1% of women likely to develop breast cancer at some point in their life. Thanks to years of dedicated research, many of those who do survive the condition, with a relative survival rate of more than 90%.
Key to this medical success is early detection at mammograms. This provides a significant medical challenge, with decisions being made by medical professionals from complex images under significant time pressure. This can lead to undesirable levels of missed cancers, as well as patients called back unnecessarily.
Quantics has been involved in clinical trials which examined AI-powered software designed to support medical professionals in making decision at screenings by detecting malignancy in mammogram images. We provided support throughout the clinical trial process, from protocol review and SAP development to randomisation, as well as the final TLFs and study report statistics.
Colorectal Cancer
Quantics worked to review and advise upon the study protocol for a phase-3 clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of eicosapentaenoic acid free fatty acid (EPA-FFA) capsules as a treatment for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). Specifically, the team provided recommendations on feasibility assessments, justifications of sample size calculations, and the statistical design of an adaptive trial.
FAP is a rare genetic condition which leads to the formation of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. Without treatment, these can often progress to the development of colon cancer, and, as such, a preventative colectomy is often required. This frequently means a dramatic decrease in quality of life for the patient, so a chemopreventative treatment is highly desirable.
Blood Cancer
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of blood plasma cells which usually produce antibodies. Affected cells produce abnormal antibodies, which can cause the blood to thicken leading to kidney problems. The cells can also form clumps in bones or soft tissue, which typically causes severe pain. While several treatments exist for MM, it is considered an incurable cancer.
Quantics played a key role in performing a treatment comparison for a monocolonal antibody therapy designed to attack MM cells to other available therapies, specifically among those who had previously been in remission from the disease but had since relapsed. This involved supporting a systematic literature review to determine comparable treatments followed by a full network meta analysis.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in women, with more than 600,000 cases diagnosed worldwide in 2022. Comprehensive screening and HPV vaccination programmes worldwide have proven key to increasing survival rates from the disease thanks to early detection and outright prevention, but expansion of treatment options remains vital.
Quantics has a long history of supporting such efforts, including working on a treatment comparison project examining a novel antibody-drug conjugate designed to deliver monoclonal antibodies specifically targeting cancer cells. Our team were vital in performing studies which determined the safety and efficacy of the new treatment compared to other options.