The conundrum of clinical trials in adult germ-cell tumours

摘要

In the 1980s and 1990s, a series of well designed and well supported clinical trials established germ-cell tumours as a model malignancy in many respects. Not only did the trials lead to the cure of an unprecedented number of patients with metastatic disease, but they also emphasised the importance of a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach. This research led to substantial advances in the optimisation of chemotherapy and in surgical and radiation approaches. Furthermore, even large, collaborative, retrospective studies led to key advances in the prediction of patient outcome and treatment selection.