SPIRIT and CONSORT extensions for early phase dose-finding clinical trials: the DEFINE (DosE-FIndiNg Extensions) study protocol

Espinasse, A. et al. (2023) SPIRIT and CONSORT extensions for early phase dose-finding clinical trials: the DEFINE (DosE-FIndiNg Extensions) study protocol. BMJ Open, 13(3), e068173. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068173) (PMID:36990492) (PMCID:PMC10069529)

Abstract

Introduction: Early phase dose-finding (EPDF) studies are critical for the development of new treatments, directly influencing whether compounds or interventions can be investigated in further trials to confirm their safety and efficacy. There exists guidance for clinical trial protocols and reporting of completed trials in the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) 2013 and CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Randomised Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statements. However, neither the original statements nor their extensions adequately cover the specific features of EPDF trials. The DEFINE (DosE-FIndiNg Extensions) study aims to enhance transparency, completeness, reproducibility and interpretation of EPDF trial protocols (SPIRIT-DEFINE) and their reports once completed (CONSORT-DEFINE), across all disease areas, building on the original SPIRIT 2013 and CONSORT 2010 statements. Methods and analysis: A methodological review of published EPDF trials will be conducted to identify features and deficiencies in reporting and inform the initial generation of the candidate items. The early draft checklists will be enriched through a review of published and grey literature, real-world examples analysis, citation and reference searches and consultation with international experts, including regulators and journal editors. Development of CONSORT-DEFINE commenced in March 2021, followed by SPIRIT-DEFINE from January 2022. A modified Delphi process, involving worldwide, multidisciplinary and cross-sector key stakeholders, will be run to refine the checklists. An international consensus meeting in autumn 2022 will finalise the list of items to be included in both guidance extensions. Ethics and dissemination: This project was approved by ICR’s Committee for Clinical Research. The Health Research Authority confirmed Research Ethics Approval is not required. The dissemination strategy aims to maximise guideline awareness and uptake, including but not limited to dissemination in stakeholder meetings, conferences, peer-reviewed publications and on the EQUATOR Network and DEFINE study websites. Registration details: SPIRIT-DEFINE and CONSORT-DEFINE are registered with the EQUATOR Network.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The CONSORT-DEFINE part of this study was supported by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Medical Research Council-National Institute for Health Research (MRC-NIHR), grant number MR/T044934/1. The SPIRIT-DEFINE part received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. T Jaki received funding from UK Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00002/14). CW was supported in this work by NHS Lothian via Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit. SL was funded through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health (Grant Number UL1TR001873).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Evans, Professor Jeff
• Authors: Espinasse, A., Solovyeva, O., Dimairo, M., Weir, C., Jaki, T., Mander, A., Kightley, A., Evans, J., Lee, S., Bedding, A., Hopewell, S., Rantell, K., Liu, R., Chan, A.-W., De Bono, J., and Yap, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: BMJ Open
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2044-6055
• ISSN (Online): 2044-6055
• Published Online: 29 March 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMJ Open 13(3): e068173
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License