A panel discussion featuring Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD; Riley Bove, MD; Stephen Krieger, MD; and Erin Longbrake, MD, PhD, focused on the importance of considering both clinical trial data and real-world evidence in evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of disease-modifying therapies, especially those targeting CD20. Dr. Longbrake emphasized the differences between open-label extension data, which often includes patients who have responded well to medication and may not represent the entire patient population, and real-world data, which may be messier but offers insights into a broader patient experience.
Real-world data provides a more comprehensive view of treatment performance in diverse patient populations despite challenges with systematic data capture. The speakers highlighted the complementary nature of these data sources each offering unique perspectives on treatment outcomes that inform clinical decision-making. Incorporating real-world evidence into clinical practice requires careful consideration of biases and individual patient experiences balancing adverse events observed in practice with the broader evidence base.
Large-scale studies using real-world data can reveal nuanced differences in treatment effectiveness and safety that may not be evident in clinical trials offering valuable insights for optimizing patient care. Additionally, real-world data are essential in understanding treatment outcomes in unique circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel discussion stressed the importance of staying informed with real-world evidence to inform clinical decision-making enhance patient care strategies.
