[A summary report of response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST criteria)]

The World Health Organization definitions for objective tumor response published in the 1979 WHO Handbook have been the most commonly used criteria around the world. However, some problems developed with the use of WHO criteria. These issues led to various modifications to the WHO criteria, resulting in a situation in which response criteria were no longer comparable among research organizations or researchers. However, because the efficacy of novel therapies and drugs is estimated according to tumor regression, it is very important to unify the definitions of objective tumor response. A revised version of the WHO criteria, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST criteria), was published in 1999 to deal with these issues. However, some problems concerning the evaluation of non-cytotoxic drugs and unidimensional measurements remain in the new criteria.