HMM: Over half of new cancer drugs ‘show no benefits’ for survival or wellbeing.

Forty-eight cancer drugs were approved by the European Medicines Agency between 2009 and 2013 for use as treatments in 68 different situations.

But the study, which looked at the clinical trials associated with the drugs, reveals that at the time the therapies became available there was no conclusive evidence that they improved survival in almost two-thirds of the situations for which they were approved.

In only 10% of the uses did the drugs improve quality of life. Overall 57% of uses showed no benefits for either survival or quality of life.

I’m dubious of medical studies coming from where medical spending is controlled by the state. That said, cancer treatment is still an area with more unknown-unknowns than anything else — so drug companies will hit more brick walls than make breakthroughs. The correct time to stop advancing is never.