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‹ Sun · 24 May 2026
Near-term implementable finding

Association Between Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Trial-level Surrogate Endpoint Analysis

In lymphoma trials, progression-free survival alone may not reliably predict overall survival, refining how researchers design studies and regulators evaluate new drugs.

This systematic review of 16 phase III MCL trials (n=5996) found that PFS correlates moderately with OS (R2=0.75) but requires a large PFS benefit (STE: HR≤0.59) to confidently predict OS improvement, limiting its utility as a surrogate in modest-benefit trials. These findings have direct implications for MCL trial design and regulatory approval pathways.

What the study was

Study design
Systematic review + weighted linear regression (surrogate endpoint analysis)
Population
Phase III MCL clinical trials; 16 trials, 19 treatment comparisons, 5996 patients
Sample size
5996
Category
Treatment Innovation
Maturity
Validated
Journal
Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia

Why it surfaced

Clinically important for MCL trial design and drug approval. Meta-analysis from Brown University group. R2=0.75 moderate surrogacy is relevant for interpreting current and upcoming MCL trials. Scored 6.

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