Maurie Markman, MD

Articles

Gaps Persist in Understanding the Fundamentals of Informed Consent

July 14th 2021

Within the hierarchy of clinical trials, phase 3 randomized studies remain the gold standard, though some argue that appropriately designed meta-analysis of multiple studies provides even more definitive and meaningful insight.

Scientific Communication Requires a Course Correction

July 2nd 2021

The overall picture related to COVID-19 in the Unites States is encouraging, and we might suspect that the American public would be relatively united with favorable views of efforts of public health officials and organizations at the national, state, and local levels to successfully control this terrible event and return us to our prepandemic state.

Precision Medicine Presents a Disconnect in Oncology Practice

June 16th 2021

Multiple FDA approvals and an increasing number of clinical trials examining molecular target–based therapeutics, including second- or even third-generation drugs against a well-defined target, present an ever-widening array of drugs for routine cancer care based on the discovery of specific molecular targets within the tumor or within the germline.

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy Finds Echo in Cancer Care

June 1st 2021

Although the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is unprecedented in speed and scope, the process of postapproval surveillance has been shown to be robust and should serve as a source of reassurance to the public regarding the effectiveness of the initial and follow-up review process.

Reaching Conclusions From Limited Data Holds Pitfalls

May 13th 2021

The challenges of assessing COVID-19 vaccines shows that events in the real world may differ from those of a formal objective scientific analysis, especially in a setting where such evaluations of necessity involve very small numbers.

Missteps Highlight the Need for Objectivity in Science

April 30th 2021

Although the spectacular success associated with the development of several safe and highly efficacious vaccines and therapies for COVID-19 has once again confirmed the remarkable impact of advancements on public and individual health, we must also acknowledge recent stunning examples of the failure of scientifically oriented government agencies to provide objectively valid nonpolitical recommendations, policies, and conclusions.

Clinical Progress Creates Need for Decision-Support Tools

April 20th 2021

The current endorsement of 3 COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, with several additional products pending FDA review, in less than 1 year from the identification of the structure of the COVID-19 virus is simply remarkable.

Public Health Communication Gaps Extend to Cancer Care

April 6th 2021

In the cancer arena, COVID-19 information problems highlight the critical role of clear, honest, and effective communication with the public, patients, and their families regarding the increasing complexity of a multitude of topics related to malignant disease and its management.

Optimism Plays a Vital Role in Outcomes for Patients With Cancer

March 14th 2021

Evolving data provide provocative support for the relevance of an optimistic vs a pessimistic perspective in influencing outcomes in serious malignant conditions.

It’s Time to Rethink 4 Unique Cancer Terms

February 20th 2021

When one is dealing with the topic of cancer, its treatment and consequences, language that clinicians and members of the cancer research community use may have an even greater impact.

Cancer Staging and Toxicity Framework Should Be Overhauled for the Modern Era

February 8th 2021

Formerly, small cell lung cancer was generally considered more chemotherapy sensitive in the short term but also associated with an overall inferior survival outcome; however, the difference in prognosis compared with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer was measured in months—rarely longer.

Dr. Markman on the Need for Comparative Trials With PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

February 3rd 2021

Maurie Markman, MD, discusses the need for comparative clinical trials with PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer.

Real-World Data Grow Increasingly Relevant in Oncology Practice

January 27th 2021

The importance of objectively valid data is well established in clinical medicine. Such data include an accurate recording of a patient’s clinical history; evaluation of signs and symptoms of illness; and measurement of various routine indicators, such as granulocyte and platelet counts, serum glucose, electrolytes, and liver function tests.

PFS Deserves More Than Surrogate Status as a Clinical Trial End Point

January 20th 2021

Although recent benefits do not pertain to all cancers and “cure” remains a relatively uncommon event, oncologists have an increasing number of molecularly targeted and immunotherapeutic strategies to employ based on objectively meaningful clinical trial outcomes.

Dr. Markman on Remaining Questions With HPV- Cervical Cancer

January 18th 2021

Maurie Markman, MD, discusses remaining questions regarding human papillomavirus–negative cervical cancer.

Markman: COVID-19 Takes Science on a Roller-Coaster Ride

January 10th 2021

In a pandemic, the public and its leaders yearn for relatively simple answers that can lead to solutions and forceful actions such as preventing serious infection and hospitalizations, treating active illness, and developing safe and effective vaccines quickly made available to the public.

Real-World Impact of Low-Grade AEs Needs a Closer Look

November 18th 2020

Although PARP inhibitors are generally reasonably well tolerated, certainly compared with platinum and other routinely employed cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs, the majority of patients receiving PARP inhibitors in multiple reported clinical trials reported low-grade nausea and fatigue.

Dr. Markman on the Benefit of PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

November 6th 2020

Maurie Markman, MD, discusses the utility of PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer.

HPV Vaccination Is a Battle That Must Be Won

November 2nd 2020

Despite solid evidence that human papillomavirus vaccination is remarkably effective in preventing persistent infection by HPV types that are known to be responsible for more than 70% to 80% of cervical cancer cases worldwide, this strategy’s utility in substantially reducing the subsequent development of the malignancy itself remained an open question.

Complex Clinical Trial Issues Require an Ethical Balancing Act

October 13th 2020

The fundamental objectivity of major scientifically oriented public health agencies has been called into question, while the issue of what constitutes sufficient evidence for a therapeutic strategy to be considered “standard” is also being challenged.