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Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Evaluation of spin in oncology clinical trials
C Wayant1, D Margalski2, K Vaughn3
1Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, OK, 74107, USA.
Purpose:
Spin, the misrepresentation of research findings, in clinical trial abstract has been shown to influence how oncologist rate a drug's efficacy.
Materials And Methods:
We searched PubMed for clinical trials published in ten key journals in 2017. Our primary objectives were to assess the frequency and manifestations of spin in the abstracts of those clinical trials that measured both overall survival and at least one surrogate efficacy endpoints.
Results:
124 trials were included for analysis. We found evidence of spin in 46 of 124 (37.1%, 95% CI 29.1%-45.9%) trial abstracts. Spin in the abstract results was most often due to authors emphasizing a statistically significant subgroup analysis (n = 6). Spin in the abstract conclusions was most often due to authors relying on a statistically significant surrogate endpoint to highlight the bioefficacy of the intervention (n = 17).
Conclusion:
Spin is prevalent in the abstracts of oncology clinical trials that measure OS and a surrogate endpoint. The conclusion sections of abstracts were most prone to contain spin. When OS was the primary endpoint, spin was primarily used to distract from the nonsignificant OS data. To mitigate unintentional hype for cancer therapies, we recommend authors structure their conclusions around patient-important outcomes.
Insights
Spin, or misrepresenting findings, is common in oncology clinical trial abstracts, particularly in conclusions. This practice may inflate perceptions of drug efficacy, highlighting the need for conclusions focused on patient-important outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Clinical Trials
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Spin, the misrepresentation of research findings, can influence oncologists' perceptions of drug efficacy.
- Previous research indicates spin may affect clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency and manifestations of spin in oncology clinical trial abstracts.
- To analyze spin in trials measuring overall survival (OS) and surrogate efficacy endpoints.
Main Methods:
- PubMed search of clinical trials published in 2017 across ten key journals.
- Analysis of 124 trial abstracts for evidence of spin, focusing on results and conclusions.
Main Results:
- Spin was detected in 37.1% of the 124 analyzed trial abstracts.
- Spin in results often involved emphasizing statistically significant subgroup analyses (n=6).
- Spin in conclusions frequently relied on significant surrogate endpoints to infer bioefficacy (n=17).
Conclusions:
- Spin is prevalent in oncology trial abstracts comparing overall survival and surrogate endpoints.
- Conclusion sections are the most common location for spin.
- Spin often distracts from non-significant overall survival data; recommendations include focusing conclusions on patient-important outcomes.
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