Progression-free survival (PFS) is a term used in medical research and oncology to define the length of time during a clinical study or treatment regimen that a patient with a specific disease does not experience disease progression. It is a commonly used endpoint in clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of various treatments, particularly in cancer patients.
PFS is measured as the period between the initiation of a treatment and the time when the disease begins to worsen, or when new tumors or lesions appear. It indicates the duration during which the patient's condition remains stable or improves, without any signs of disease advancement.
PFS is usually determined by analyzing medical imaging scans, laboratory tests, physical examinations, or other specific criteria established for the particular disease under investigation. Common methods employed in measuring PFS include radiographic assessments, tumor assessments, or overall clinical evaluations.
In clinical trials, PFS is an essential indicator of the therapeutic benefit provided by a treatment. It helps researchers and clinicians understand the effectiveness and impact of an intervention on disease progression, in order to make informed decisions regarding patient care and treatment strategies. PFS is often considered alongside other primary endpoints such as overall survival to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the treatment's impact on patient outcomes.
Overall, progression-free survival serves as a vital measure in clinical research and oncology, offering insights into the stability or improvement of a patient's condition during the course of treatment and providing valuable information for developing and assessing therapeutic approaches in various diseases, particularly cancer.
