When suboptimal post-protocol care in oncology trials is rewarded

In oncology trials, overall survival (OS) remains the gold standard endpoint for regulatory approval and guideline recommendations. In other words, a strategy with a survival gain will likely be favored over another. However, suboptimal post-protocol care - i.e. when control arm patients do not receive appropriate care after the protocol - can penalize the control arm with the potential to artificially drive survival gains. Here, we provide three examples, across distinct tumor types - melanoma, breast, and urothelial cancer - and distinct settings - perioperative and metastatic - where inadequate post-protocol care could have contributed to apparent survival advantages. We describe how the current system rewards such trials with either regulatory advantages, or stronger guideline recommendations, or both. We posit that post-protocol data should become a central component of trial evaluation, particularly in interpreting survival outcomes. We outline practical solutions, with drug regulation being at the center. Pre-submission regulatory consultations between agencies and sponsors should systematically consider post-protocol care. Specifically, they should seek to secure optimal treatment for patients post-trial, so that the observed survival results remain applicable to regions where such care is standard, and where marketing authorizations are sought.