Suspect surrogate end points

Clofibrate reduced cholesterol in persons at risk for heart disease.  Lower cholesterol is associated with a lower risk for heart disease.  Unfortunately, patients who took clofibrate were more likely to die.
Encainide reduces the number premature heart beats (PVCs) is persons who have had heart attacks.  PVCs are strongly associated with a higher risk of death after a heart attack.  Unfortunately, patients who took encainide after heart attacks were much more likely to die.  It is estimated that encainide caused thousands of excess deaths.
Rosiglatazone lowers the glycohemoglobin level in persons with diabetes.  Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease and lower glycohemoglobin levels indicate better diabetes control. Unfortunately, patients who took rosiglitazone had more heart attacks.

http://www.geripal.org/2013/04/surrogate-end-points-in-drug-trials.html

Source: PharmaGossip - May 2, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: insider Source Type: blogs