RECIST - learning from the past to build the future.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Clinical Trials
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours (RECIST) are essential for evaluating tumor burden and drug efficacy in oncology clinical trials.
• Challenges exist in maintaining RECIST's balance between specificity and generalizability, requiring ongoing validation and innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the purpose of RECIST criteria.
• To assess the documentation needed for developing an updated RECIST framework.
• To address challenges in applying RECIST to new cancer therapeutics and imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• Review of current RECIST application and limitations.
• Discussion of challenges in balancing specificity and generalizability.
• Consideration of RECIST's use in different trial phases and clinical practice.

Main Results:

• RECIST remains a standard but faces challenges with new treatment modalities and imaging.
• The need for updated documentation to facilitate RECIST evolution is highlighted.
• Balancing specificity, generalizability, and innovation is crucial for RECIST's continued relevance.

Conclusions:

• The RECIST Working Group is committed to maintaining RECIST as an oncology standard.
• Adaptation of RECIST is necessary to accommodate advancements in cancer treatment and diagnostics.
• Future RECIST development requires careful consideration of its application across diverse clinical contexts.