Finding meaning in Phase II cancer data

As usual, this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting produced reams of data, especially from Phase II studies as companies hunt for indications where the odds of success seem highest.

For non-experts, the outpouring of Phase II results can provide a great deal of noise but little insight. The trials often are small and not focused on clear clinical outcomes. They are difficult to compare, and hints of efficacy are hard to interpret. But interviews with companies developing cancer therapeutics provide a few guidelines to help sort through the data...