Causal inferences and real-world evidence : A comparative effectiveness evaluation of abiraterone acetate against enzalutamide

• Regulatory authorities are recognizing the need for real-world evidence (RWE) as a complement to randomized controlled trials in the approval of drugs. However, RWE needs to be fit for regulatory purposes. There is an ongoing discussion regarding whether pre-publication of a protocol on appropriate repositories, e.g. ClinicalTrials.gov, would increase the quality of RWE or not. This paper illustrates that an observational study based on a pre-published protocol can entail the same level of detail as a protocol for a randomized experiment. The strategy is exemplified by designing a comparative effectiveness evaluation of abiraterone acetate against enzalutamide in clinical practice. These two cancer drugs are prescribed to patients with advanced prostate cancer. Two complementary designs, including pre-analysis plans, were published before data on outcomes and proxy-outcomes were obtained. The underlying assumptions are assessed and both analyses show an increased mortality risk from being prescribed abiraterone acetate compared to enzalutamide.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

epidemiology

urological tumours

public health

prostate disease

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)