Mark Lewis: The forbidden fruit of oncology

Mark Lewis shared on X/Twitter:

“Cross-trial comparison is the forbidden fruit of oncology — we know we shouldn’t do it, but we’re tempted anyway (especially when trials are enumerated like direct sequels).

As many of my colleagues have observed, NETTER-1 and 2 enrolled different NET populations (former midgut only, the latter midgut and PNET; former 66% grade 1/34% grade 2; the latter all grade 2/3)

It’s going to take me some time to absorb the clinical meaning of NETTER-2 for my practice but for now I’m glad to debunk the myth that neuroendocrine tumors are rare to the point that studies are untenable.”

Source: Mark Lewis/X

Mark A. Lewis is the Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Intermountain Healthcare in Utah, the Co-Chair of adolescent & young adult (AYA) oncology in the SWOG cooperative group, and the Vice President of American Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Support. Dr. Lewis is also a well-known patient advocate and social media influencer.