Surrogate outcomes can include things like survival, improvements in quality of life, or relief of symptoms. Researchers may use surrogate markers because they may allow new drugs to be approved more quickly to treat serious or life-threatening diseases, such as cancer. However, surrogate endpoints aren’t always a true reflection of how well a treatment works.
This project was aimed at developing and disseminating updated CONSORT and SPIRIT guidelines to help researchers measure and report surrogate markers in trials.
The work was led by:
• Rod Taylor, Professor Population Health Research (MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit) at the University of Glasgow
• Ms Oriana Ciani, Associate Professor of Health Economics, Bocconi University