Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
Multi-arm clinical trials of new agents: some design considerations
Boris Freidlin1, Edward L Korn, Robert Gray
1Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. freidlinb@ctep.nci.nih.gov
Abstract:
A major challenge in the development of anticancer therapies is the considerable time and resources needed for conducting randomized clinical trials (RCT). There is a need for more efficient RCT designs that accelerate development, minimize costs, and make trials more appealing to patients. We review the statistical and logistical characteristics of multi-arm designs that compare several experimental treatments to a common control arm. In particular, we present a rationale for not requiring multiplicity adjustment in multi-arm trials that are designed for logistical efficiency. Relative to conducting separate RCTs for each experimental agent, this multi-arm design is shown to require a lower total sample size than multiple two-arm trials.
Related Concept Videos
Clinical Trials
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
Clinical Trials: Overview
Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Repeated Measures, Cross-Over, Carry-Over, and Latin Square Designs
Crossover Experiments
Crossover designs are performed even with smaller sample sizes since the samples can act as their controls. These are better than simple randomized trials since patients are exposed to all the treatments.
Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches
Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies
