Publication
Revised Airlie House consensus guidelines for design and implementation of ALS clinical trials
Journal Paper/Review - Mar 8, 2019
van den Berg Leonard H, McDermott Christopher J, Pioro Erik P, Rosenfeld Jeffrey, Silani Vincenzo, Turner Martin R, Weber Markus, Brooks Benjamin Rix, Miller Robert G, Mitsumoto Hiroshi, Lomen-Hoerth Catherine, Gubitz Amelie K, Genge Angela, Sorenson Eric, Gronseth Gary, Macklin Eric A, Andrews Jinsy, Baloh Robert H, Benatar Michael, Berry James D, Chio Adriano, Corcia Philippe, Airlie House ALS Clinical Trials Guidelines Group
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
OBJECTIVE
To revise the 1999 Airlie House consensus guidelines for the design and implementation of preclinical therapeutic studies and clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
METHODS
A consensus committee comprising 140 key members of the international ALS community (ALS researchers, clinicians, patient representatives, research funding representatives, industry, and regulatory agencies) addressed 9 areas of need within ALS research: (1) preclinical studies; (2) biological and phenotypic heterogeneity; (3) outcome measures; (4) disease-modifying and symptomatic interventions; (5) recruitment and retention; (6) biomarkers; (7) clinical trial phases; (8) beyond traditional trial designs; and (9) statistical considerations. Assigned to 1 of 8 sections, committee members generated a draft set of guidelines based on a "background" of developing a (pre)clinical question and a "rationale" outlining the evidence and expert opinion. Following a 2-day, face-to-face workshop at the Airlie House Conference Center, a modified Delphi process was used to develop draft consensus research guidelines, which were subsequently reviewed and modified based on comments from the public. Statistical experts drafted a separate document of statistical considerations (section 9).
RESULTS
In this report, we summarize 112 guidelines and their associated backgrounds and rationales. The full list of guidelines, the statistical considerations, and a glossary of terms can be found in data available from Dryad (appendices e-3-e-5, doi.org/10.5061/dryad.32q9q5d). The authors prioritized 15 guidelines with the greatest potential to improve ALS clinical research.
CONCLUSION
The revised Airlie House ALS Clinical Trials Consensus Guidelines should serve to improve clinical trial design and accelerate the development of effective treatments for patients with ALS.